Compared to recent years the FAI AGM on Saturday was a more subdued affair but sometimes calm is a win.
The main message was the need to press the political establishment on the need for funding to build a network of fit-for-purpose facilities around the country and to provide support for academies that would transform the pipeline of talent coming through.
The plans are very detailed but the ask of such substantial funding at a time when FAI debts, though reducing, are still very large is proving to be a challenge to get over the political line.
“I am calling on you all to grab the opportunity that the upcoming General Election will present to Irish sport,” said President Paul Cooke.
“We are engaging with all parties and reminding them that this is Irish football’s time, that we deserve a share of the betting levy, that we deserve the Large Scale and Sports Capital funding that will come our way in the coming weeks. We deserve the investment we are asking for in academies and infrastructure.”
“Of course we have had issues on and off the field in the recent past. Of course, we will have sporting issues again as a democratic sporting body that touches the lives of more people than any other sport in Ireland. But we, every one of us in this room, have worked hard to ensure the mistakes of the past never happen again and we are doing our best to cement a bright future for the players of tomorrow.”
“All we are asking for in return is support from Government, national and local. All I am asking you today is to amplify that call and repeat it every time your doorbell rings and a smiling politician awaits you. They want your vote – please ensure that they know we want their support now more than ever.”
As we saw over the weekend in relation to Casement park, Government support cannot always be taken for granted, even when the stakes are high, and football is competing with a large number of alternative demands. Still the stating of the case must continue to be made.
The confirmation of a permanent CEO was raised with that likely to happen in the coming months but with no deadline set.
There were a number of Board appointments as part of the agenda of the meeting.
Nominated by the Professional Football Chamber, Caroline Rhatigan replaced Niamh O’Mahony as a Football Director with her election ratified at the meeting, held at the Radisson Blu St. Helen’s Hotel in Dublin.
Independent Directors Packie Bonner and Robert Watt, nominated by the Nominations Committee of the FAI, will each serve for a further two years following their ratification.
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