Kate Hickey is one of Ireland’s most exciting young basketball talents, who in 2025 was named Student Sport Ireland’s Sports Person of the Year. A final year student on the BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Care and Education programme, Kate balances her sporting career with her passion for education.
Pursue her passions
“I chose to study Early Childhood Education at SETU because it offered the perfect combination of quality education, practical experience, and convenience. As I live in Waterford, SETU was a natural choice as it allowed me to pursue a degree in a field I'm passionate about, without having to relocate.”
Reputation
Kate enjoyed the practical nature of her course, commenting: “The University has a strong reputation in education and childcare studies, and I was especially drawn to how the course combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on learning through placements.”
Community
“The lecturers are experienced and supportive, and the class sizes allow for a more personal learning environment. I’ve benefited from the strong community feel on campus and the student support services that help with everything from academic advice to career planning”, Kate discussed.
Settling in to university
In Kate’s words: “Being part of the SETU Women’s basketball team has been one of the most important and rewarding parts of my college experience. It’s not just about the sport - it’s about the sense of community, discipline, and support it brings.”
Kate made great connections when she joined the basketball team, commenting: “Playing on the team helped me settle into university life, especially during my first year, and gave me an instant group of friends who share the same passion and drive.”
Balancing sport and studies
For Kate, learning to balance sport and studies was vital. “Balancing training and matches with my studies taught me valuable time management and teamwork skills. It also gave me a healthy outlet for stress, which has been essential during busy or challenging academic periods.”
Sports Scholarship programme
Kate was awarded the SETU Sports Scholarship for the duration of her studies. “It made huge difference in my ability to balance basketball and my studies. It not only gave me financial support, but also structure and motivation. Knowing that SETU was backing me both as a student and an athlete made me feel recognised and valued.”
Fulfilling experience
Kate was awarded Sports Person of the Year at SETU's Sport and Societies Awards 2025, having represented Ireland at the Eurobasket qualfiers, and captaining SETU's Womens Basketball Team to securing both the league and intervarsity titles this year. “Having this kind of support system in place gave me the confidence to fully commit to both areas of my life and maintain high standards both on the court and in the classroom. Overall, the scholarship made my college experience not just manageable, but incredibly fulfilling.”
