Football FestivalThe benefits of sponsorship can be measured in many ways but few forms can deliver as much on an emotional level than in the field of CSR or Corporate Social Responsibility.
The FAI and the US Embassy hosted a breakfast on Friday to highlight areas of the work that the Association does in this area and look for supporters to enable it extend its reach into communities and among groups for whom it means so much.
“Sport drives you into areas of disadvantage that few other vehicles can get to,” said John Hennessy-Niland, Charges d’affaires at the US Embassy who has just completed a B Level UEFA Coaching Badge.
The FAI Football for All programme focuses on disability groups and runs programmes that go all the way to international teams in blind football, football for amputees, for those with cerebral palsy and with learning difficulties.
Ireland is the only country in the world that awards full international caps to players representing the country in disability sport.
“To have something for everyone no matter how central to the mainstream of society or how marginalised they are is a great achievement,” said former Irish International Kevin Kilbane who flew in to lend his stature to the event.
“As a parent, when somebody does something special for your child that is an incomparable gift and that is what is being done for thousands of individuals and families through these programmes.”
FAI CEO John Delaney highlighted that the international men’s team which takes almost 100% of public and media attention on the sport in Ireland actually represents only 2% of the activity which the Association undertakes.
He highlighted that there are 27 international squads across all the disciplines and age groups; and that engagement through CSR programmes reached over 100,000 people from socially marginalised communities in the past 12 months.
A literacy scheme in Dublin involved kids attending a reading class after school and then football for an hour with FAI development officers.  At the end of the course they all went to the local library and signed up so as to continue their reading.
“These kind of courses make a real difference and are successful because they are done through the universal medium that is sport,” said Delaney.
“If such a course was only about reading it would never take off but adding the magic of a round ball and a kick about makes it appealing to all kids, irrespective of age, ability or gender.”
One of the most important programmes highlighted to the community of business professionals that gathered in the FAI Suite at the Aviva Stadium was the Late Night Leagues run in partnership with the Gardaí.
These took place last year in 22 communities and resulted in an average drop of 50% in anti social activity.
“A commercial partner would help us to expand this programme and to make a very real and tangible difference to communities,” added Delaney.
The final word on a morning of inspirational stories went to FAI Development Officer Oisin Jordan who said that Football for All was about “making dreams come true, whether that dream was pulling on a green shirt or simply having the ability to walk down the road to participate in an activity that made people feel special.”
More detail on the programmes offered in areas of disability, disadvantage and multicultural integration can be seen at www.fai.ie.  It is worth a look for something that can make a real difference, for sponsorship packages that start from as low as €5,000.

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