Off The Ball and Allianz have announced details of a new partnership. “Inner Drive” is a new multi-platform, multi-part series with some of Ireland’s most compelling sports people.

Hosted by the Of The Ball team, Inner Drive chronicles the difficulties faced and the resilience shown by some of the country’s top athletes from GAA, para-sport and soccer, plus many more.

Each story is uniquely told across audio and video to capture the ‘Inner Drive’ that allowed our athletes to reach their full potential.

In the series, which launches this week, ahead of a summer full of sports, Off The Ball sit down with athlete Rhasidat Adeleke, Clare hurler Shane O’Donnell, Westmeath footballer Luke Loughlin, Rugby Sevens international Jordan Conroy and Paralympic Gold medal Swimmer Ellen Keane amongst others, focusing on the theme of resilience.

The series is aligned with Allianz’s new #StopTheDrop campaign that highlights how 1 in 5 primary school children stop participating in sport as they transition to secondary school in Ireland today.

Inner Drive explores what has kept these athletes involved in sport from childhood to where they are today. The hope is that the campaign will serve to encourage those considering giving up sport to re-think and be inspired by some of the incredible stories being told.

Each episode will take a deep dive into both the athlete’s sporting and personal life, demonstrating the resilience needed to make it at the top of any sport.

“We are really delighted to team up with Allianz and Starcom on this series – the quality of the work so far has been exceptional,” said Ger Gilroy, Managing Director of Off The Ball.

“I won’t spoil any of the details, but we’ve been amazed at the honesty of the participants and truly humbled to be allowed to tell these stories on behalf of some of the best and brightest young people the country has to offer.”

“It wouldn’t have been possible without the partnership with Allianz, and it’s a clear sign of their commitment to increase participation in sport which benefits everyone. We really believe that Inner Drive will become a high-watermark for the telling of Irish sports stories.”

The first episode is now live across Off The Ball’s platforms.

“Irish people are natural storytellers, but the honesty in the stories told in Inner Drive is at a different level,” added Mark Brennan, Head of Marketing at Allianz.

“As a sports fan, you see players and athletes on the pitch, track or in the pool, but rarely to get to hear their backstory, their family story, the often dark and difficult moments. Through the Inner Drive series, parents, teachers, coaches and in particular children to stick with playing sport or to find their sport and help stop the drop.”

 

Allianz and Off The Ball are full members of the Sport for Business community.

‘Stop the Drop’ will feature as one of the stories highlighted at our Children and Sport Conference in Dublin on Friday, May 17th.

The Sport for Business Membership is made up of nearly 300 organisations including all of the leading sports and sponsors, commercial and state agencies. Find out more about joining them today.

 

 

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