Republic of Ireland senior international Robbie Brady, who hails from the Fingal town of Baldoyle, joined the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Darragh O'Brien, Fingal County Council Chief Executive, Paul Reid, and FAI Vice President, Donal Conway, in officially launching the course at Corduff Community Centre.
Over the course of the 2016/17 school year, the 25 Transition Year students participating in the programme will mix academic subjects with Kick Start 1 and 2 coaching courses along with modules in Fitness Instruction, Media Skills and Personal Development, as well as football training and strength & conditioning work.
In addition, the participants will undertake an ITEC Fitness Instructors Course, delivered by Litton Lane Fitness Training, while they will also return to their local school one day a week to work with teachers in the delivery of physical education and gain valuable work experience.
"The purpose of the course is to help the personal development of the participants and to show them how to balance the demands of sport and education at a pivotal moment in their young lives," explained course co-ordinator Denis Hyland, who is an FAI Development Officer.
"The course allows them to live in a proper football environment for a year while also meeting their educational needs. They are at an age when some young players head abroad to join professional clubs and this programme allows them to reap the same footballing benefits and a lot more while remaining at home with their families and putting something back into their local communities."
Paul Reid, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, said: "Within Fingal County Council we have a 'can do' attitude and this is another excellent initiative by our Sports Office. We are aware that young people within our community have sporting ambitions and this pilot programme is an excellent opportunity to give them a chance to develop their sporting skills while staying within the education system and also giving something back to their local communities. It ticks a lot of boxes for us as an organisation which is focused on the development of communities within Fingal."
Donal Conway, FAI Vice President, said: "This is a fantastic programme which empowers students to balance their studies with football while also introducing them to areas, such as coaching and fitness instruction, that allows them to contribute to their local communities in a positive fashion. The FAI has given its support to this programme and we look forward to helping in any way that we can to ensure the participants prosper on and off the pitch."
The programme is being jointly delivered by the FAI and Fingal County Council's Sports Office, with assistance from Blanchardstown Area Partnership as well as the participants' own schools.
The pilot course will be continually evaluated and, where practical, improvements will be made. At the end of the academic year the evaluation process will include measurement and surveys covering all aspects of the programme.
For further information contact press@fingal.ie
