We continue our week long look at how clubs are faring by looking behind the scenes at what the FAI is doing to ensure the highs of the past two weeks, and the appointment of Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane to international management, are carried through to the grass roots.
The 11 players that finished the game in Poznan last night are the very tip of a substantial pyramid within the sport that extends to almost 100,000 players, 1000’s of teams and 100’s of competitions from local to international level.
As with any mass participation sport, the way that clubs form and organise is critical to what happens at the top of the game. Since 2005 the FAI has recognised clubs through a Club of the month scheme that delivers profile and cash to clubs that are making progress at their own level in terms of coach education, participation, facilities and innovation. The monthly winners receive €1,500 and the annual prize for Aviva Club of the year comes with a €5,000 prize fund.
Sport for Business caught up with Max Hamilton, Commercial Director of the FAI in Poznan this week to see what the Association is doing beyond this to ease the burden on clubs.
“With all of the focus in recent weeks on the appointment of Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane, the vast majority of work that the FAI does at grassroots level to support its clubs and leagues is easily overlooked,” he said.
“Over the last decade, the Association has changed considerably in this regard. Annual revenues have more than doubled and the Association has reformed its structures in order to develop sustainable and mutually beneficial partnerships with many large Irish and international organisations.”
“These include Three, Umbro, Airtricity, Ford, Diageo, Lucozade, Aviva, EA Sports, Beiersdorf and McDonalds as well as local authorities nationwide. We always look to include elements of their partnership through to the clubs and our members at all levels.”
“We deliver more than 20 separate programmes with FAI Development Officers present to support our work with clubs and leagues in every area of the country.”
“In the last four years alone, the Association has invested €60m in Grassroots, High Performance, and Emerging Talent programmes.”
“The Association has also been shaped to support the work of a huge volunteer force with an emphasis on becoming closer to our clubs. This is assisted by the network of Development Officers based in almost every county in the , and is led by our Chief Executive who has visited over 1,700 clubs during his time in charge, all the time listening to and responding to the needs of our clubs.”
“Those support structures have been enhanced through partnerships with our sponsors who are increasingly working with the Association to support our activities with clubs and leagues.”
“This year the Association launched the Irish Football National Draw, which was successful in raising €1m directly for our clubs. With the assistance of its sponsors, the FAI put together more than €200,000 worth of prizes allowing clubs to benefit directly from all of the ticket proceeds.”
“Three, the Association’s primary sponsor, has provided a €10m affinity fund, encouraging club members to switch phone provider, resulting in financial support for club initiatives.”
“Shared Access, the telecoms infrastructure provider has made €30m available to Irish grassroots clubs to provide funding for floodlights and other club facilities.”
“Airtricity, the Association’s energy partner, is providing special deals for our clubs to reduce their energy bills and the Association’s betting partner, Bragbet has recently launched an affinity scheme that gives clubs a benefit from the purchasing decisions of members.”
“In 2013 McDonalds became an official Association partner, and in their first year they have delivered a very successful Future Football programme which focuses on supporting clubs and league to enhance the great work they do at local level.”
“It has been developed to combine various elements of coach education, player development and club management, that gives young footballers a platform for the application of their skills in an inclusive, fun and friendly environment. The first year culminated in a very successful finals day for clubs at the Aviva Stadium.”
“As we set out on what promises to be an exciting time for Irish football at all levels, the Association is now well positioned to drive the game forward, from grassroots to international qualifiers at the Aviva. With UEFA support backing this up, there is a lot to look forward to at club, league and international level for Ireland and the FAI.”
The FAI produces Heads Up! an online newsletter for clubs with news and offers relevant to them and which helps to keep them in direct touch with what is happening through the sport.
In the coming days we will look at the work the GAA and IRFU are doing to assist their clubs; at a number of innovative fundraising ideas that are coming to the fore and at how a number of clubs in different sports are facing the challenges of 2013 into 2014.
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