The League of Ireland has welcomed the publication of the Global Findings Report from Belgian specialists Double Pass into the LOI Academy system, even as the wider restructuring of the FAI was being revealed to staff and the public.

The report, funded by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, provides the first comprehensive benchmarking of Irish academies against international standards.

The results are sobering. The LOI system is evidently falling behind peer nations ranked between 51 and 100 in the FIFA Men’s and Women’s World Rankings.

Among the most pressing gaps identified are contact hours for players, a chronic shortage of full-time staff, and facilities that are significantly below global norms.

The Double Pass audit makes for uncomfortable reading when measured against international competitors.

Some of the key points to be made in the report are:

  • Only 46% of LOI Clubs employ a full-time Academy Director compared to 60% internationally.
  • Just 4% of LOI Clubs have a full-time Head of Coaching compared to 46%.
  • No LOI Club has four full-time Academy coaches, compared to 36% of clubs internationally.
  • Training frequency is two sessions per week lower on average at the U16–U21 level.
  • Only 42% of academies provide a workspace for Academy management, compared with 66% internationally.
  • Just 23% of LOI Academies have indoor facilities, compared with 61–81% internationally.
  • Female structures remain incomplete, with no teams below the U17 level.

The report also highlights an over-reliance on volunteer coaches, a long-standing issue in Irish sport, but particularly critical in the highly competitive world of player development.

It doesn’t just point to the problems, though.  It also sets out a roadmap for progress.

Among the 50 specific recommendations that are included are:

  • The establishment of a Quality Assurance System to classify academies
  • Creation of a centralised player development platform
  • Investing strategically in training infrastructure
  • Professionalising talent development with key full-time roles.
  • A full-time football and education programme post-Junior Cycle
  • Expanding the Women & Girls pathway by introducing U15 squads
  • Establishing MU16 squads to limit dropout before U17 level.

 

“The publication of this report is welcomed by the League of Ireland to show the challenges facing our system as we compete internationally in the biggest sport in the world,” said Mark Scanlon, League of Ireland Director.

“The recent success in the League of Ireland across attendances, sporting achievements and player development shows the remarkable work that is done in our Academies every week on extremely limited resources.”

“The excellent work done by Double Pass shows not just the severe shortfalls in our system but the huge potential that lies within Irish football.”

“In order to achieve this potential it’s vital that all stakeholders work together to develop our Academy system.”

“For the first time, we have a clear, independent assessment of our Academy landscape, measured against international standards and best practice,” added Will Clarke, LOI Acadmey Development Director.

“This is not simply an evaluation of where we are today, but the starting point of a journey that can shape the future of our game.”

“By embracing these findings and working collaboratively, we can build an Academy system that gives every young talented player the best chance to succeed, while strengthening the League of Ireland and, ultimately, the international standing of our senior Men’s & Women’s International Teams.”

“Although there is a noticeable gap compared to other nations, we are confident that with visionary leadership and strategic collaboration, much can be accomplished, ” said Hans Vander Elst, Senior Partner Director of Football at Double Pass, author of the report.

“The potential within Irish football is tremendous. By applying these recommendations and committing to purposeful action, Ireland stands ready to close the gap internationally and support a thriving footballing future for generations to come.”

 

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