The FAI’s ongoing governance reform programme has been honoured by UEFA at its UEFA Grow Awards which recognise national football association achievements in eight areas of strategic development.

The FAI has won this year’s award in the Organisational Development Project category.

“The FAI’s new constitution and extensive programme of structural reform was crucial in modernising the organisation, rebuilding stakeholder trust and ensuring it can thrive in the future,” said the UEFA citation for the Award.

“By engaging with stakeholders, including UEFA and the UEFA Grow team throughout the process, the FAI has shown that great change can be achieved in a short period of time.”

“I am really pleased for everyone involved in this ongoing process of organisational change within Irish football,” said FAI CEO Jonathan Hill.

“There are way too many to people to thank for the many hours of hard work committed to helping us become the progressive, modern fit-for-purpose Association everyone wants us to be.”

“Governance reform is a gradual process and having a strong governance core is critical to future success, not just for us at national level but for the whole of our affiliate infrastructure. Thanks to UEFA for recognising the work done here and to all of the Irish football community and our stakeholders in making this happen.”

The Grow Awards also provides a Europe-wide platform for sharing best-practice models and strategic initiatives from across UEFA’s 55 member national associations.

In 2021, UEFA received 150 applications from projects and programmes in a record 43 associations across the eight award categories, which were whittled down to 24 nominations, with creativity and innovation awards also rewarding new thinking that could bring game-changing results in the future.

The Awards were presented by Luis Figo (pictured above).

 

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The award will add to the FAI’s rehabilitation with Government and confirms that it is now back in good standing that might only have been dreamt of two years ago.

 

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