FAI SCHOOLS
There are five key priorities for the Association:
PARTICIPATION
Targeting affiliated and non affiliated schools, the goal is to increase participation by providing opportunities for boys and girls to participate in football at an appropriate level:
Particular reference is made to the continued rollout of the Buntus Soccer Programme, introduction of a soccer skills programme and targeting increased participation at primary school level and among girls:
Many schools throughout the country have asked for more events that they can participate in, particularly non competitive events where more students can play: Futsal blitzes within schools or groups of schools are an ideal type of participation event:
COMPETITION
The goal is to provide well structured and well organised age appropriate competitions for schools, paying particular attention to opportunities at a local level:
This will be achieved by improving competition scheduling and increasing the number and variety of competitions: The importance of identifying elite players and providing international football opportunities for boys and girls is also important:
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Working with different target groups, the aim is to improve knowledge and standards of football coaching by providing a pathway and resources for development of coaching skills: Specifically, training and education will be provided for teachers, student teachers and transition year students in areas such as Coach Education, Referee Education and Futsal:
The Schools Plan will provide opportunities for all teachers involved within schools football to gain easier access to football coaching education: Courses will be provided at a subsidised rate by the FAI:
MANAGEMENT STRUCTURES & ADMINISTRATION
As the FAI Schools programme develops, information and resources will need to be provided as a support for branches, sections and participant schools: The plan is to enable effective dissemination and receipt of information between all parties, including development of a unified national database:
Promotion and coverage of football in schools will be improved by using existing communication channels and new methods such as an enhanced website: Development of improved management structures and administration will be underpinned by appropriate deployment of increased resources:
LINKS
Successful implementation of the Schools Strategy will depend on developing and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders such as schools, clubs and teachers’ representative organisations:
The aim is to undertake activities that are mutually beneficial, for example, good practice guidelines for links between schools and clubs, expansion of opportunities for sponsors and the development of a defined player pathway for post primary students:
POST PRIMARY ACTIVITIES
The Association is responsible for ten National Cups at second level while there are in excess of thirty other competitions held throughout the four branches:
Umbro Senior Boys Cup
Umbro Senior Girls Cup
Umbro Senior B Boys Cup
Umbro Senior B Girls Cup
Umbro Junior Boys Cup
Umbro Junior Girls Cup
Umbro Minor Boys Cup
Umbro Minor Girls Cup
Umbro 1st Year Boys Cup
Umbro 1st Year Girls Cup
INTERPROVINCIAL TOURNAMENTS
The FAI Schools organises an annual Interprovincial representative tournament for Boys Under 18 and Girls Under 15 and both competitions are the key recruiting process for underage International squads:
/ Boys Interprovincial will be held in Tullamore on the 10, 11 and 12 October 2008
/ Girls Interprovincial will be held in Athlone on the 14, 15 and 16 November 2008
CONTACT DETAILS FOR PROVINCIAL BRANCH
Leinster Hon: Secretary
Donal Conway 086 817 1271
Munster Hon: Secretary
Richard Grimes 086 804 8595
Ulster Hon: Secretary
James Rodgers 086 829 8483
Connacht Hon: Secretary
Barry McDermott 086 388 4445
PRIMARY ACTIVITIES
Meanwhile at Primary level, the ever popular Five a Side event attracts over 14,000 competitiors across the country while there are also local competitions in Donegal, Dublin as well as Cork and Waterford: Our new title sponsors for this competition are EA Sports: Competitions commence in March/April each year with Provincial Finals in May: Check out the EA Sports feature panel on the right hand side of the homepage for further information:
CONTACT DETAILS FOR PROVINCIAL BRANCH
Leinster Hon: Secretary
Paul Holland 087 9630 375
Munster Hon: Secretary
Ger Duggan 087 235 4908
Ulster Hon: Secretary
Martin Robins 087 203 8190
Connacht Chairperson
Charles O'Connor 087 237 4925
