The Student Radio Association in the UK has voted to accept member applications from student stations in Ireland.
At the AGM this week, the motion was passed to add the Republic of Ireland to the constitution to allow ROI student stations take part in events such as the Student Radio Awards and Student Radio Conference.
Officer, Peter Cinnamond told RadioToday: “There is massive potential for student radio in Ireland and it will be fantastic to create official links with stations across the island. This expansion of the Student Radio Association aims to promote and develop student radio talent both North and South, and just like we’ve seen in the mainland UK, I look, forward to seeing the industry embrace our strident ethos and get involved with our numerous events to help mould the next generation of radio professionals.”
Russell James Alford set up StudentRadioIE but the project never got off the ground. He welcomes the SRA’s move into Ireland: “I believe it is right. The infrastructure is there for a good network so why not,” he tweeted.
Galway student station Flirt FM added: “Definitely interested in becoming an affiliate of the @SRA Working on an Irish Student Radio Network too.”
The SRA hosted its first ever event in Ireland this year at the University of Belfast, with students coming from a number of stations across Ireland to hear from speakers from BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Introducing, City Beat and U105.
Stu Manton, Chair of the Student Radio Association attended and said: “Ireland has such a large and diverse student population, and their own unique challenges and radio landscape It is great that the SRA can now properly support the growing student radio population in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, as well as get those station involved in all of our events, including the Student Radio Awards, supported by BBC Radio 1 and Global Radio and the National Student Radio Conference.”
The SRA will now be appointing a Regional Officer for Ireland, who will work to find out the support needs of stations, building links with local industry and host events in the region over the coming year.