FAI CONSULTATION MEETINGS

Dear Colleague,

According to a recent ESRI report, football is the highest participation sport in Ireland. Nine per cent of the adult population plays the game making it the most widely played team sport among Irish adults.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) recognise that the foundations of the sport are built at local level and the Association is committed to the development of a more effective grassroots structure and the provision of quality competitive football opportunities for all involved in the game at this level.

We are about to commence a review of the Male Youth, Junior and Intermediate game in Ireland. The review will focus on developing a strategy for the future development of this sector of the game throughout the country. It will examine every aspect of this sector and develop recommendations to strengthen it for the future.

We want to canvass the opinions of people involved in the game (clubs, players, coaches, administrators, officials etc.). We want to understand their concerns, issues, priorities and what they would like to see done to make their game better.

We are conducting a series of 14 consultation events across the country. The events will be facilitated by external consultants, Genesis, who will assist in the development of the strategy. The purpose of this consultation process is to obtain the views of all stakeholders in the sport. All members (players, coaches, administrators, etc.) of clubs in each area are invited to attend these meetings.

This is an opportunity for every person involved in Youth, Junior and Intermediate football to give their input directly to FAI on the future of their sport. We are keen to hear from as many people within the grassroots of the sport as possible.

The meetings will be held on the following dates:

Date
Venue
Time
Tuesday 4th September
Bunclody – Mill Race Hotel
7.00pm
Monday 10th September
Athlone – Shamrock Lodge Hotel
7.00pm
Tuesday 11th September
Dublin –SAS Radisson Dublin Airport Hotel
7.00pm
Monday 17th September
Killarney – The Malton Hotel
7.00pm
Tuesday 18th September
Limerick – SAS Radisson Hotel
7.00pm
Wednesday 19th September
Cork – Rochestown Park Hotel
7.00pm
Monday 24th September
Galway – SAS Radisson Hotel
7.00pm
Tuesday 25th September
Letterkenny – Ramada Hotel
7.00pm
Wednesday 26th September
Sligo – Clarion Hotel
7.00pm
Monday 1st October
Clonmel – The Clonmel Park Hotels
7.00pm
Tuesday 2nd October
Portlaoise – Heritage Hotel
7.00pm
Wednesday 3rd October
Mayo - TBA
7.00pm
Monday 8th October
Carrickmacross – Nuremore Hotel
7.00pm
Wednesday 10th October
Dublin - Red Cow Moran Hotel
7.00pm
Each meeting will kick-off at 7pm. And we would encourage as many people as possible to come to the sessions and provide their input. The FAI website www.fai.ie will also be used to canvass views and opinions but these meetings are the best chance for people to have their voice heard.

We would ask all league officials and club administrators to make a concerted effort to get as many people from their area to participate in these meetings. It is your game, so let us know how you want it to be developed.

For further information on the meetings please contact Karl O’Shaughnessy, Technical Department – FAI at karl.oshaughnessy@fai.ie or 01-7037500.






John Delaney
Chief Executive Officer

Football Association of Ireland, Cumann Peile na hEireann, Limited Liability Company, Number 17081, Registered Office: 80 Merrion Square, Dublin 2