EA SPORTS has extended its sponsorship of the EA SPORTS League of Ireland Academy Development Programme for a further three years and has also become an associate sponsor of the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland
Previously named the EA SPORTS National League of Ireland Underage Leagues, the EA SPORTS League of Ireland Academy Development Programme will sit alongside the League of Ireland’s SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division, SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division and the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division as the EA SPORTS LOI Academy.
The rebrand is a fundamental part of a cultural shift away from a competition-led development environment, to a long-term individual player development environment that focuses on the development of the individual player as opposed to the success of the team.
This will be a different approach to the traditional concept of all games being there to be won for the shirt rather than the player and if it gains full acceptance across the sport it will undoubtedly create a better development culture to bring players through.
UEFA and FIFA have an innovative system for payment of a portion of transfer fees to all clubs that have participated in the development of a player so better players in a wider context will still yield the returns that clubs often rely on to fund development of players.
One of the new player development innovations for the upcoming 2023 season will be the introduction of a predominantly non-competition based games programme for the Men’s U14s and the introduction of various player development events for players of all ages throughout the course of the season.
This a continuation of the success of the Future Developers concept, providing minimum levels of game time for all players at Men’s U14 and U15 level, games programme restructure and increased game time for players in 2022.
St Patrick’s Athletic, Longford Town, Drogheda United, Finn Harps and Galway United are also being welcomed into the EA SPORTS Women’s U17 League of Ireland Academy Games Programme for the first time whilst Dundalk, Cobh Ramblers, Treaty United, Waterford FC and Galway United progress to Women’s U19 level and Klub Kildare and CK United progress to Men’s U19 level.
The development concept feeds into a more competitive environment at Men’s U17 where the winners of the EA SPORTS MU17 League of Ireland will go on to represent Ireland at UEFA Youth League level in 2024/25.
The 2023 EA SPORTS LOI Academy season will also see the commencement of the League of Ireland Academy Certification process. This will be a key component of a long-term plan to modernise player development within the system and it is envisaged that the process will challenge and support clubs, in equal measure, to improve their standards on and off the pitch against a backdrop of effective measurement and benchmarking.
The EA SPORTS LOI Academy Games Programme will commence on Saturday, 25 February.
“We are delighted to announce this extended partnership with EA SPORTS who have been brilliant supporters of the League of Ireland Academy Development Programme in recent years,” said Academy Development Manager, Will Clarke.
“We are entering into a very exciting era in Irish football and the support of EA SPORTS for the next three seasons will ensure that we can accelerate the progress that has already been made in recent seasons.”
“EA SPORTS have been fantastic partners and we are delighted that EA SPORTS will continue with us on our journey as we look to ensure that every young boy and girl in Ireland is given the opportunity to maximise their potential.”
“We’re delighted to continue our sponsorship with the FAI of the newly renamed, League of Ireland Academy Development Programme after seeing great success over the last two years,” added EA SPORTS Senior Marketing Director James Salmon .
“We’re also delighted to have extended our partnership to become an associate sponsor of the League of Ireland. Supporting all levels of the game is a priority for EA SPORTS in Ireland and beyond. This is an exciting time for all aspiring players, and we look forward to continuing to support clubs, players and fans across the country.”
