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Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has helped launch a new digital learning platform for teachers and parents of primary school children in senior cycle. (March 9, 2021)
The SPAR FAI School Zone offers interactive and engaging lesson plans designed with both the classroom and home schooling in mind. The lesson plans have been designed in consultation with a panel of teachers and promise to engage, educate and enthuse students.
The new teaching resource will be hosted on FAI.ie with innovative football themed lessons being emailed to those who have registered twice a week over the course of four weeks - beginning on March 15 and running until April 12.
Maths, History, Geography, English, Art and Irish are all covered in the School Zone, along with healthy eating options. The activity sheets will be emailed to teachers and parents weekly along with answer sheets.
Teachers who sign up for the SPAR FAI School Zone will be automatically entered into a competition, which will see one school in each county winning a special commissioned football kit.
One school selected from all participating schools nationwide will win a grand prize of a Zoom call with three Irish International players for their class.
The sponsorship of the SPAR FAI School Zone initiative, developed by the FAI, is a continuation of SPAR’s dedication to grassroots football, following on from the successful SPAR FAI Primary School 5s Programme.
"The SPAR FAI School Zone will give the 4th, 5th and 6th Class students a fun and engaging way to learn through football", Stephen Kenny told FAI.ie.
"Ireland’s men’s and women’s teams feature in the Hub through English and History lessons, while our own FIFA World Cup Qualifying Group is brought to life in a Geography lesson."
"The past 12 months has been tough for everyone, but I hope the School Zone can bring some enjoyment to the boys and girls who will use it", Kenny concluded.
Commenting on the new initiative, SPAR Sales Director, Colin Donnelly said: 'We’ve been supporting the FAI for over six years now through our sponsorship of the SPAR Primary School 5s competition. It’s been a very challenging and exceptional year for teachers, parents and students and while the SPAR 5s may not be going ahead we are equally delighted to be sponsoring this initiative."
"So much work has gone into this programme to make it educational, fun and easy to deliver for parents and teachers alike. By signing up you’ll not only have all the resources and lessons delivered straight to your email but you’ll be in with a chance of winning brilliant prizes for your school.”
FAI Schools and Third Level Programme Coordinator John McGuinness says he hopes the School Zone will help students, after a testing 12 months.
"The SPAR FAI School Zone provides fun and interactive football content based around school subjects for children in 4th, 5th and 6th class. Our hope is that the SPAR FAI School Zone can help in some way to provide a fun learning environment with football at the core."
"Content will be released twice a week for four weeks and can be used in the classroom or for home-schooling. It is a great way for children to continue to engage with the beautiful game as we eagerly await the return of football to pitches across the country".
You can sign up for the SPAR FAI School Zone, please visit here. Get in the Zone!