FAI GRASSROOTS ISSUE TWO president’s message WELCOME to the second edition of our I hope to meet as many of you as new FAI Grassroots magazine at a time possible in the coming months. Our of great excitement for Irish football FAI Strategic Plan 2022-2025 is now across all strands of our game in this, a work in progress and we will consult INSIDE issue two the Centenary year of our Association. with you all in the very near future as we listen to what you think is best for Irish FAI Strategy 2022-25 Page 4 The Return to Play is now well underway football and work together to deliver FAI Visit to Navan Page 6 and it has been wonderful on my visits this strategy. to clubs around the country to see so Return to Play Update Page 10 many players, young and old, back on In the meantime, please do look out FAI-ETB Courses Page 12 the pitch. for each other and for all those in your communities and stay safe. Vera Pauw visits SSS Page 14 Whether playing, training or attending Festival for Unity Page 18 our INTERSPORT Elverys FAI Summer Slán go fóill Soccer Schools, it has been brilliant to IT Carlow Scholarships Page 22 witness the fun back on so many faces. Gaynor Cup Page 26 Our game is the biggest participation Gerry McAnaney Stephen Kenny visits SSS Page 30 sport in Ireland and that is something President, we should celebrate. We missed football Liam Farrell RIP Page 34 during the pandemic lockdowns so we Football Association of Ireland 50th Club Mark Award Page 44 should enjoy this return to action and shout it from the rooftops. Girls Football Page 48 As before, I want to thank you all for Football for the Blind Page 54 your continued commitment to our FAI Football for All Page 58 Protocols and Government guidelines. Your hard work has ensured football is Onside Project Page 60 a safe sport to participate in during the The rise of Kerry Page 64 COVID-19 pandemic but please remain dedicated to the hard work that has got Michelle O’Neill Page 72 us to this point together. Baldoyle United Focus Page 77 I’d also again like to thank all the FAI Blue Magic Futsal Page 78 staff for their ongoing support to our clubs, players, coaches, officials and Editor: Eamon Scott volunteers as we continue to work Designer: John Regan through this pandemic. @ Junior Creative Solutions Contact: [email protected] or [email protected] 2 3 FAI GRASSROOTS ISSUE TWO November and it is our intention to CEO Hill declares reach out to our key stakeholders, engage with them, listen to their views on the future of our sport and reach a consultation process is consensus on how best we can realise the ambition of all who care about our game. I know already from my time with key as draft FAI Strategic the Association just how much football means to everyone in Ireland and just how passionate all our stakeholders are Plan is discussed about their sport. FOOTBALL Association of Ireland Core objectives in the draft strategy European results for our Men’s and “We will harness that commitment, Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Hill document are: Women’s League of Ireland clubs and enthusiasm and energy as we build a has announced the commencement • Driving Grassroots football as the real growth in participation for our strategy and a process that will allow of the consultation process with all heart of the game Grassroots adult amateur and underage us to deliver best in class opportunities stakeholders that will shape the future • Creating football pathways for all Leagues,” said CEO Hill. and results across all elements of Irish of Irish football for the next four years • Developing the full potential of football. As we continue to celebrate and beyond as the FAI looks to grow the football for Women and Girls “All of this will enhance the enjoyment of our Centenary, we owe it to everyone biggest participation sport in the country • Inspiring a new future for our our players and fans, coaches, officials connected with Irish football to deliver a on the domestic and international stage. League of Ireland and volunteers without whom we have plan now that will improve our game for • Building for International success no game. Central to the development of everyone who plays it, from underage all The Association launched the • Transforming football facilities and that strategy is communication across the way to our senior men and women consultation process around the FAI’s infrastructure all strands of the game in Ireland and representing Ireland at the highest draft strategic plan 2022-2025 when we will consult widely in the next four level.” Hill presented to members of the newly The CEO also explained how the FAI will months to understand our members’ constituted General Assembly at the seek to deliver on this draft strategy by: perspectives and seek their agreement Welcoming the commencement of the FAI’s virtual AGM recently. • Building a best-in-class, fit-for- on the key issues to be addressed over consultation process with stakeholders, purpose organisation the next four years which will shape our FAI President Gerry McAnaney said: Presenting online to delegates from the • Embracing Digital Opportunity strategy. Our communication is now “This is a really exciting time for Irish Association’s Abbotstown headquarters, • Building a Trusted and Respected honest, open and collaborative with all football. Our Association is undergoing CEO Hill outlined the key elements that brand stakeholders and this will be reflected the governance and financial reform will enable the FAI to map out the future • Driving investment to achieve our in all discussions around the strategy demanded by all stakeholders, our of the country’s biggest participation Strategic Goals which will become their strategy over players are back on the pitch at all sport across all levels of the game. • Developing a collaborative and the next four months.” levels of Irish football and there is a real inclusive culture sense of positivity and hope amongst In his outline strategy presentation, CEO The FAI has now appointed an Internal our members. We need now to deliver Hill informed FAI AGM delegates that “The new draft strategy document for Strategy Team to lead all elements a strategy that matches that ambition the Association’s vision for the future 2022-2025 will lay out the road map of the construction, publication and with prosperity and I look forward to is to utilise football to inspire and unite for a vibrant and transformed FAI that implementation of the FAI Strategic Plan continuing meetings with our members the nation, grow participants to our will deliver the very best foundations 2022-2025 over the coming months. all across Ireland in the coming months game and deliver the best footballing for the success of our game at all to deliver a strategy they can be proud experience for all. levels, from tournament qualification for CEO Hill added: “Consultation will be of and one which will deliver for our our international teams to consistent key to this process between now and game.” 4 5 FAI GRASSROOTS ISSUE TWO FEATURE: FAI VISIT TO NAVAN Fun, fun, fun at INTERSPORT Elverys FAI Summer Schools FAI Chief Executive Officer Jonathan League Secretary Gerry Gorman, the after the long pandemic. For them to to their lives and we are really pleased Hill and President Gerry McAnaney group were introduced to the players be back playing football and enjoying that football is a big part of so many were joined by Meath football heroes and coaches by Richie Smith, the FAI’s themselves again is just magical,” people’s lives. I’ve seen that at first Gary Rogers and Tim Clancy as they Development Officer for Meath. Jonathan told FAI TV. hand here in Meath and I know it will sampled at first hand all the fun of be the same across the country for our an INTERSPORT Elverys FAI Summer CEO Jonathan Hill, a qualified coach, “Seeing the camp in action has been young players. We want them to enjoy Soccer School at the MDL Grounds in was delighted to meet and greet the great. We want the boys and girls to the opportunity and the chance to play Navan. players and engaged in some coaching go away having learnt some new skills again and we are really pleased to be drills with the boys and girls at the and some new techniques but having back up and running with these brilliant Welcomed to the Royal County by North East Football League camp. “It been locked up at home for so long, camps.” Navan’s Lord Mayor Padraig Fitzsimons, was brilliant to visit the camp in Navan being out and kicking a football is such Meath County Council Chief Executive and brilliant to see all the kids out a joy. People have realised during the As bookings remain open for upcoming Jackie Maguire and North East Football enjoying the football and the sunshine pandemic just how important sport is camps across the country, Jonathan 6 7 FAI GRASSROOTS ISSUE TWO GAME ON: Jonathan Hill supervises a ROYAL WELCOME: From left: Jonathan Hill, FAI Chief Executive Officer; Padraig fun drill at the INTERSPORT Elverys FAI Fitrzsimons, Mayor of Navan; Jackie Maguire Chief Executive at Meath County Summer Soccer Schools at MDL, Navan. Council and Richie Smyth, Football Development Officer for Meath, at the FAI Photos: Gerry Shanahan/www.quirke.ie Summer Soccer Schools at MDL, Navan.