The FAI launched it’s second four year strategic plan for Women’s football at Tallaght Stadium last night, amid praise from UEFA on how they are leading the way in this important area.
John Delaney was present to launch the plan which follows up on the number of Women players having doubled to 23,000 over the past decade and the number of leagues around the country growing to 32.
The process leading up to the plan has involved extensive consultation around the country and has focused on five areas with specific targets to be reached by 2018.
They are Grassroots, Education, High Performance, Promotion, Marketing and Communication and Organisation and Infrastructure.
Each area is broken down into the key areas for development and actions that will be taken to advance the reach and effectiveness of FAI programmes for the Women’s game across many different communities and areas.
“The FAI believes in the future of Women’s football and has clearly demonstrated its commitment to the development of the game,” said Women’s FAI Chairperson Niamh O’Donoghue.
The securing of Continental Tyres as sponsor of the Women’s game here, as they are in Germany and England, has been a major step forward in terms of the promotion of the Women’s National League and officials from the company were also present at last night’s launch.
“UEFA has a vision for every girl in Europe to have the opportunity to play football in their community and to the highest level to which they aspire,” said Emily Shaw, Women’s Football Development Manager with UEFA who was there last night as well.
“The FAI has been ahead of the game showing the way in Europe on how the Women’s game can be developed. The success at under age level in international competition is looked on as a real triumph and the development of the game at club and grassroots level which this plan outlines will only lead to greater success in the future.
The Sport for Business Women’s Sport Group had a preview of the plan with Women’s Development Officer Emma Martin at the stadium before it was launched last night.
