Whether it’s in sport and in life, everyone’s competing with something.
But competition is a good thing, because it’s the force that drives us to become our best selves - from school, in work, on the pitch and in our physical and mental wellbeing.
That’s why Bank of Ireland is proud to be a supporter of rugby in Ireland, enjoying partnerships with all four provinces – sponsoring Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster Rugby. The Never Stop Competing campaign celebrates the good that comes from competition in life, how it fuels and connects us, pushing us past whatever stands in our way.
Competition fuels us
Speaking recently on The Hard Shoulder to Kieran Cuddihy, international rugby star Lindsay Peat spoke about how after playing for the Republic of Ireland women's national association football team at U-18 level, captaining the Ireland women's national basketball team and playing for the Dublin senior ladies Gaelic football team, she pushed herself outside her comfort zone in 2015 when she decided to take up rugby in her new neighbourhood with no experience in the sport.
"I certainly had imposter syndrome coming into the rugby world... it was quite uncomfortable not knowing what I could bring to this team," Peat recalled.
Within months, Peat received her first cap for Ireland going on to play in the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup and the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Women's Six Nations Championships.
That level of success doesn't come easily though. It takes drive and passion and the mental resilience to overcome the many challenges along the way. Mental resilience has been key throughout Peat's journey to where she is in her sporting career today. Even in school, Peat remembers calling attention to the fact there was no girls Gaelic football team.
#NeverStopCompeting
Even after years of sporting success, Peat recalled a time when she was away with her Leinster rugby team the night before a match and a man in their hotel questioned her role with the squad.
"You're hardly a player. You're too old to be playing, you must be management, are you?," the man commented to Peat who admitted her mood was affected by the statement.
"It cut deep, my mood changed like the flip of a switch to be honest," Peat admitted.
Staying true to her competitive and driven nature, Peat channeled those feelings to fuel her game the following day where she scored two tries for Leinster.
From fighting for a girls Gaelic football team in school to representing her province and country scoring tries in world-renowned stadiums, Peat's journey to where she is today embodies the journey of Irish women's sports.
That's why Bank of Ireland's #NeverStopCompeting campaign aims to support the shared ambitions of its customers and communities, as well as the Provinces to build stronger tribes, enabling them to compete at the highest level on and off the pitch.
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To learn more about Bank of Ireland's Never Stop Competing campaign, visit: www.bankofireland.com/rugby/
