A FREE seminar on the business of sport and fitness is taking place on Wednesday (April 26) at the Civic Centre in Ballymun.
Organised by StartUp Ballymun, the event is aimed at promoting sport related enterprise in Ballymun and the surrounding area.
The seminar will bring together groups of entrepreneurs to share their know-how of starting and running their own companies.
“We will be presenting a diverse group of business people all united under the theme of Sport and Fitness” says Liam Barry of Dublin City Council who are behind StartUp Ballymun.
“This is the third in the series of seminars. The entrepreneurs will tell the audience how they realised their ambitions and started and grew their companies.”
The seminar will include Rob Forbes, a professional rugby coach with 20 years experience coaching at all levels of the game with men, women’s and underage teams.
Career highlights have included coaching the Leinster Women’s Rugby Team and involvements with the Irish Women’s Squad 2014/15. Rob is a co-founder of the Irish Rugby Institute, a professional rugby coaching company based in Dublin.
Also featured will be Kick Start Movements (KSM) developed by former Dublin football players, Micheal McCarthy and William Lowry.
Their vision is to teach and coach pre-school children on nutrition and physical education in a fun, effective manner.
Other attendees will be CEO and founder of Tennis4kids, Annette Smith, and Sean Boland MSC who founded his physiotherapy practice in 2012 and as clinical director has steered the company to build long term relationships with a number of sports teams, local communities and patients.
The company he has grown, Be Well Physio, now operates from four clinics in Dublin and in the greater Dublin area.
Promoting the event Cllr Paul McAuliffe (FF), Chair of Enterprise in Dublin City Council said: “So many people are passionate about sport and want to make it their business. This free event run by the City Council is essential for any fitness start-up.
“I have seen good businesses grow simply from people’s passion of GAA, rugby and soccer. Like every start-up though passion isn’t enough and you need to have the financial and business skills to apply to the project. That’s what Startup Ballymun and the City Council want to supply.
“We have mentors and funding streams which can really help. We also have access to office space and hot desk facilities. If you want your business to be as fit as your clients, we can help.”
The seminar, moderated by Billy Linehan of Celtar business consultants, begins at 4.30pm on Wednesday (April 26). You can register for the event on eventbrite.ie or on twitter @startupBallymun.