WFC ANNUAL CONVENTION 2017 Rewards from Three. Download the 3Plus App and dive into a world of rewards and offers. Offers Get fit with 15% off at Elverys Intersport, enjoy a medium McDonald's meal for only €5. Or you and a friend could catch the latest blockbuster with our 2-for-€10 cinema seats. Competitions How about a sound check with your favourite band, or tickets to a sold out match? 3Plus gives you a chance to win money- can’t-buy experiences with great competitions every month. Music Get presale tickets 48 hours before general sale*. Be first through the doors with 3Access queues and get on the guest list at Bar Neon in 3Arena. Sport Get closer to Irish Football with exclusive content and behind the scenes access. Win signed jerseys, match tickets and money-can’t-buy sporting experiences. Download the 3Plus app today. *Exclusions apply. Subject to availability. Data charges may apply to app download. Terms and conditions apply, see Three.ie. Resize_PressAdV2.indd 1 08/03/2017 18:17 Table of Contents Chairperson’s Message 4 CEO’s Message 5 Key Note Speakers 6 Women’s Football Department 7 Women’s Football Department Update 9 Education Workshops 10 Promotion and Marketing 13 Grassroots Programmes 15 Elite 19 International 23 Domestic 29 Administrator Update 31 Frequently asked questions 32 Calendar of events 33 Other FAI Programmes 34 Referees 34 Schools and Third Level 37 Summer Soccer Schools 41 Women’s Football Committee 42 East Women’s Regional Football Committee Update 43 Midlands Women’s Regional Football Committee Update 44 Mid-West Women’s Regional Football Committee Update 45 North East Women’s Regional Football Committee Update 46 North West Women’s Regional Football Committee Update 47 South East Women’s Regional Football Committee Update 49 South West Women’s Regional Football Committee Update 50 West Women’s Regional Football Committee Update 53 FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND CHAIRPERSON’S MESSAGE I am delighted to welcome repre- who attended get real benefit from sentatives of clubs and leagues to their presence here today. To that the first Annual Convention for those end, in addition to the prescribed involved in womens and schoolgirls business of the Convention we are football. delighted to have Rachel Pavlou from the FA here to share her The full integration of women’s experience in the keynote address. football into the structures of the FAI We’re also delighted to take the op- became a reality in mid-2016 with portunity to introduce Irish leagues the establishment of the FAI Wom- and clubs to the fantastic UEFA ens’ Football Committee and the #TogetherWePlayStrong Campaign Womens Regional Football Com- and we’d like to thank Noel Mooney mittees. The transition to the new for his attendance here today. structures has been an interesting process with the joining together of Finally, we’re delighted that John many people who had previously Delaney, CEO of the FAI joins us been involved in the Womens Foot- for the Convention. The integration ball Association of Ireland (WFAI) of womens’ football into the main- NIAMH O’DONOGHUE with others from many other areas stream structures of the FAI was a WFC CHAIRPERSON of the game including the FAIS, the project that was led from the outset WSCAI, and the WNL. by John and he has honoured all commitments made and more. Building a focus on the devel- The decision by the Board to ask opment of the game rather than the FAI AGM to bring forward the on competition alone has been a promised inclusion of the Chairman challenging journey. Considerable of the WFC on the Board of the FAI efforts have been made to facili- indicates the commitment of the tate the identification of priorities at Association to the development of regional level and to launch new the women’s game. initiatives to try and strengthen the game. The support provided by the I’d like to thank all my colleagues Womens Football Unit and the FAI on the WFC for all their work over Development Officers makes a real the course of the last year in em- difference to these new arrange- bedding the new structures and ments. You will see and hear today helping set a strategic direction for just what this means in each of the all involved in womens football. I’d regions. also like to thank the staff of the Womens Unit, Emma, Dave, and In arranging the first Annual Conven- Clare under the leadership of Sue tion, the Womens’ Football Com- for all their work over the course of mittee wanted to ensure that those the last year. 4 WFC ANNUAL CONVENTION 2017 CEO’S MESSAGE ciation in their support of women’s has been evolution too. Colin Bell’s football programmes and that blue appointment as the first full-time chip organisation has been a terrific head coach of the senior Women’s support to the Women’s National National Team shows that commit- League. The establishment of the ment and I wish Colin and his team league in 2011 has provided our the very best as they attempt to top level players with a platform to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World test themselves against their peers Cup in France in 2019. nationwide. Our underage international sides Shelbourne LFC proved once continue to make an impact in again this year that our national UEFA competition, with the WU17s club teams can compete at UEFA qualifying for the UEFA Finals earlier Women’s Champions League level this year with WNT Head Coach with an unbeaten campaign and the Colin Bell set to work with that age Continental Tyres Women’s National group going forward. JOHN DELANEY League continues to become more competitive. We’re planning the With Dave Connell also ensuring the FAI CEO introduction of an underage na- WU19 sides continue to compete at tional league for top female players the highest level and Sharon Boyle’s I am very pleased to welcome all of and this will also have a significant work in introducing talented young the delegates to the first annual FAI impact on bringing the best players players to the international stage at Women’s Football Convention. together more regularly, earlier in WU16 level, the standards are not The development of football for their careers. just being maintained at representa- female players has long been a tive level but continue to be raised. priority of the FAI Board. I have The restructure and growth of the always made it clear that as a father Gaynor Tournament, with Fota Women’s football is in a very strong of twins, a boy and a girl, my goal Island Resort on board as the title place at this moment, and with is that each would have the same sponsor, is further proof of the continued growth, increased inter- opportunities to play our game. evolution of elite football for our best est from the public and media, and Our commitment as an Association young female players with 45 teams through the steady improvements in to the growth of women’s football and over 1000 players taking part in the quality of the Women’s game, has been strong and while change Limerick this year. the future is very exciting for the does take time to be felt, there have Association and for the country in been many progressions across Our national competitions allow the general. football for females of all abilities best club teams at all levels from in this country. The establishment U14 up to adult senior, intermediate Our challenge is to ensure that the of the new governance structure and junior grades to test themselves determination to improve never with the creation of the Women’s against the other top sides in the wavers and that young Irish females Football Committee, working with country and we believe these com- know that this sport can offer them eight regional committees, has petitions will continue to grow. fabulous opportunities. I know that given women’s football in Ireland a the Women’s Football department, platform for growth, which the FAI is The Aviva Soccer Sisters pro- headed by Sue Ronan, is very fo- committed to supporting. gramme has been a tremendous cused on maintaining the progress success and again, a top tier made to date, across all aspects of The growth of women’s football sponsor has helped impact on the the game. is one of the key pillars of the FAI numbers of girls playing our game Strategic Plan which was published and being introduced to football in a Finally my thanks to all of our in 2016 and the appointment of the fun and safe environment. speakers at this convention and in chairperson of the Women’s Foot- particular a warm welcome to Noel ball Committee, Niamh O’Dono- We’ve also seen the numbers of Mooney from UEFA, who is driv- ghue, onto the FAI Board ensures females on the Sportsdirect.com ing UEFA’s Marketing Campaign that commitment to women’s FAI Summer Soccer Schools grow for Women’s Football, and Rachel football will continue. and that too is a very positive sign Pavlou from the FA, who will share of the health and interest in football her experiences in England and that Continental Tyres has been a amongst young girls. country’s successful growth and tremendous partner to the Asso- On the national team front there retention of women players. 5 FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND KEY NOTE SPEAKERS Noel Mooney Senior Manager National Associations Business Development UEFA Noel is responsible for sup- marketing and promotions porting all 55 member asso- Noel was also a goalkeeper ciations in growing the game with Limerick FC, Cork City in a strategic and systematic and Shamrock Rovers.