The FAI Welcomes €3 Million Government Investment in LOI Academy Development
The FAI and League of Ireland are delighted to welcome the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport’s announcement of a €3 million funding allocation towards the development of League of Ireland football academies across the country.
The FAI and the League Department would like to sincerely thank Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan, Minister of State Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris for their continued support and belief in Irish football.
This vital muti-annual investment marks a crucial step in building the modern, professional academy system Irish football needs to compete internationally and benefit communities nationwide.
It will create full-time academy roles across League of Ireland clubs, providing the high-performance environments our most talented boys and girls need to thrive. This progress builds on the dedication of volunteers who have driven the academies’ success and supported the recent resurgence of the League of Ireland.
David Courell, CEO of the FAI commented; “We sincerely thank Ministers Patrick O’Donovan, Charlie McConalogue, Jack Chambers, Paschal Donohoe and the Government for their trust in this investment, which will be directed into the long-term development of our academy system. This marks an important step in building the structures Irish football needs to compete internationally and to strengthen the game in communities across the country. It is a significant moment for the FAI, our clubs, and the future of Irish football.”
Mark Scanlon, League of Ireland Director, said: “Today is a landmark day for the League of Ireland and our clubs. We thank the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport for recognising the importance of this investment to Irish football. It is a fitting reward for the volunteers and staff who have driven the game forward and I’d like to also express our gratitude to them, the clubs and our National League Committee, in particular Dermot Ahern and Michael Ring for their support. Guided by the recent Double Pass Audit, we will use this support to professionalise coaching, create full-time roles, and build a sustainable future for our clubs and the game.”
“Today marks an important milestone for the future of Irish football”, said LOI Academy Development Manager, Will Clarke. “This investment will create full-time roles across our clubs and support the development of modern, fit-for-purpose academies to help young Irish boys and girls reach their full potential on and off the pitch. We extend our sincere thanks to Sport Ireland, in particular Paul McDermott, Director of National Governing Bodies & High Performance, and Nora Stapleton, Women in Sport Lead, for their collaboration and guidance throughout the independent audit process. Enormous credit is also due to our clubs and volunteers for their tireless commitment, especially during the LOI Academy Audit process. Finally, we acknowledge with gratitude the invaluable support of my colleague Pat Duffy and our LOI Department staff. Together, we look forward to driving Irish football to new heights and ensuring this investment delivers lasting impact for the game’s long-term growth”.
