The EA SPORTS National Underage Leagues get underway this weekend and the FAI put its promotional heft behind the leagues yesterday hosting a media day with players and officials at Abbotstown.
Sport for Business reported last week on the arrival of EA Sports as the title sponsor of the FAI’s National Underage Leagues.
The gaming brand behind the iconic FIFA series have been long-time supporters of Irish football having been title sponsors of the League Cup since 2009.
This new partnership will see EA Sports sponsor all League, Shield and Cup competitions across both male and female academy systems.
The Women’s National League has added a new tier at Under 19 level and all the underage Finals will be live-streamed, with full match commentary, on LOITV at the end of the season.
“This is a fantastic development for our National Underage Leagues and we are delighted to get EA Sports on board,” said Will Clarke, League of Ireland Academy Director. “It is great for the Leagues to be associated with a brand such as EA SPORTS and we are looking forward to working closely with them over the next few years.”
“One of the initial conversations we had with EA SPORTS was around how they can help support and develop the National Underage Leagues and support the players within the Leagues. I think it is going to be a really good partnership for the Leagues and they will be a key partner for Irish football going forward as we develop the League structures and ultimately develop better players.”
Clarke went on to suggest that Government support, whether through the Sports Capital Programme or other funding would be needed to support the infrastructure around a successful underage set-up, something Taoiseach Micheál Martin indicated recently that could be supported.
“It’s brilliant to be back,” added Shamrock Rovers Academy Director Shane Robinson. “The first day back training was like Christmas morning with the kids so excited to be back. The main thing they have missed is games so to have the Leagues back this weekend for the boys and girls is brilliant.”
Shamrock Rovers has three Official Club Partners in Corduff FC, Lucan united and Templeogue United. There is an extensive crossover between the clubs in terms of development and coaching.
It has an additional 15 clubs, stretching from Baldoyle to Maynooth, with coach education, programmes and summer camps being supported with player and coach visits.
The FAI are among the 250+ members of the Sport for Business network of sporting and business organisations working together across a number of key areas.
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