The FAI has launched a new initiative, More Than A Club, that aims to help facilitate SSE Airtricity League clubs in further developing links within their local communities.
The project will see Bohemian FC and Cork City as the first two clubs to develop social enterprise based ‘Club in the Community’ schemes.
They were among 11 SSE Airtricity League clubs who presented proposals to take part in the scheme which will be funded by the European Regional Development Fund and run jointly with a Welsh-based social enterprise called Vi-Ability.
The project will start immediately and the FAI will make funding available to recruit two full-time Football Enterprise Coordinators in each club for an 18-month period.
The FAI will also provide guidance from the project management team on how to develop the Football Enterprise scheme and the social programmes.
“The FAI believes that engaging with the community in a more inclusive way can positively affect a football club’s prospects of sustainability,” said FAI Project Manager Derek O’Neill.
“Participating in innovative community partnerships can facilitate this and the FAI is delighted to have secured this EU funding, which will be used fully to support the two clubs to develop their community remit.”
“The Consultation Process Report recognised that along with sporting and business interests, community engagement was another essential development pillar of successful and sustainable football clubs,” added FAI Director of Competitions Fran Gavin.
“The club’s five-year strategic plans have shown a strong emphasis on community engagement.”
“This community focus can serve to attract new club stakeholders with more people, businesses and agencies becoming advocates of the club and admirers of the programmes which they can deliver. The clubs can become more than just football teams and be more relevant to more people within their communities.”
Bohemians FC will benefit from having three employees, two full-time and one part-time, working exclusively in the community on behalf of the Club. “It will allow us to significantly expand the excellent community work we are already doing in our catchment area,” said Bohemian’s Chris Brian.
The FAI, Tetrarch Hospitality and Bank of Ireland are among the more than 220 organisations that play an active part of the Sport for Business community.
What could we do together for your organisation?
Image Credits Sportsfile
