The FAI has appointed Hannah Dingley as the new Head of Women’s and Girls’ Football.

She will join the FAI on May 20th from her current role as Academy Manager at Forest Green Rovers where she has worked since 2019 following previous spells with Burton Albion, Lincoln Ladies and Notts County.

Dingley is a UEFA Pro Licence holder and holds a Msc in Coaching and a BSc in Sport and Exercise from Loughborough University where she has also been a Lecturer and Tutor.

“I’m looking forward to getting started as the new Head of Women and Girls’ Football,” she said.

“This is an opportunity to be part of something special in further developing football for all women and girls in what is a truly exciting period for the game.”

“It is vitally important that we continue to inspire women and girls, of all ages and backgrounds, to get involved in football. It’s very clear that there are passionate people already doing incredible work in this area, from volunteers, clubs and leagues to dedicated staff in the FAI, so it will be my responsibility to support them and help to bring everything to the next level – on and off the pitch.”

“Following a very thorough process that involved many excellent candidates, we are excited to have Hannah come in as our new Head of Women and Girls’ Football to continue the excellent work that is being done to develop the game at all levels,” added FAI Director of Football Marc Canham.

“Hannah is an experienced coach with a background in the development of women’s football and is someone who will bring fresh ideas and expertise to an important role in the Football Division that will help the Association to fulfill the full potential of women and girls’ football.”

“We have seen significant progress recently with participation rates for girls at an all-time high, tailored programmes such as UEFA Disney Playmakers, Primary 5s, Aviva Soccer Sisters and Cadbury Kick Fit, an increased number of women getting involved in volunteering at Grassroots clubs, rising attendances in the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division, Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup and Avenir Sports All-Island Cup, plus unprecedented growth at international level for our Ireland Women’s National Teams.”

“Hannah will have a key role in helping to maintain this progress and also to identify opportunities for further growth.”

 

Sport for Business Perspective:

We have a generational group of elite players and the opportunity to build a platform for women and girls in football that ensures they leave a rich and deep legacy.

Qualification for the World Cup last Summer, playing at the Aviva Stadium against England and the world’s best teams is something very special but it will just be a memory if we do not embed the right of girls to have equal access to sport as has always been the case for boys.

Dingley’s role was to have been filled by Eileen Gleeson but fate moved her in a more elite direction. Dingley now has to hit the ground running and ensure that promise becomes reality at every level of the game.

 

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