Latest news with #FootballPathwayPlan
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
FAI admit defeat on 'summer soccer' plan
The FAI have admitted defeat in its controversial plan to expand the League of Ireland summer season across all levels of the game. Recently departed chief football officer Marc Canham produced a Football Pathway Plan 18 months ago which claimed 65% of surveyed participants preferred an alignment of the seasons from underage to senior. Yet that position was soon challenged, with the two largest affiliates in the country, Schoolboys/girls FAI and Leinster FA pleading with the parent body to consider allowing leagues freedom to choose their format. The board backing of Canham's 11-point blueprint was passed at General Assembly level by a narrow 57% majority but the LFA branded the latter outcome as 'flawed'. Whereas the LOI voted among their clubs for the switch in 2002, this ballot was taken across all strands. Opposition soon spiked. On top of established affiliates, which included the majority of Ulster and Connacht, the Grassroots Amateur Football Clubs of Ireland was founded from the coalface. It was a fusion of 600 clubs across 22 leagues in 17 counties seeking autonomy, raising their concerns in political circles. Rather than helping the game grow, this move was perceived as hindering it, as the overlap with the core GAA games programme was cited. Other factors such as summer holidays, referee shortages and drop offs after breaks were raised, as well as the absence of impact study on clubs fearful of losing volunteers. Belatedly, the FAI bowed to pressure by undertaking a 'Listening and Learning exercise' in May – with the inevitable outcome of plans for roll-out from January 2026 being culled. Their ploy of linking grants for the Gaynor and Kennedy Cup tournaments to compliance with the move spectacularly backfired. A proposal to postpone implementation by three years was rejected by the SFAI, who highlighted the point that even the minority of leagues moving to summer supported the right to choose for others. It was noteworthy that FAI executives were not invited to these sessions, only elected officials. They relayed feedback to board level that the concept was a non-starter. An email from President Paul Cooke to the 145-strong General Assembly on Friday afternoon confirmed the climbdown. 'The FAI board of the Football Association of Ireland has decided to implement an exemption process by application for leagues with regard to our Aligned Football Calendar. 'The terms of reference of the exemption process will be agreed by the board and communicated with members of the General Assembly in due course. 'The FPP continues to be implemented as part of the on-going development and future of Irish football whilst also respecting the implementation challenges that leagues may encounter in relation to the Aligned Football Calendar.' The initial feeling is that leagues are reluctant to engage in this committee having already informed their clubs at recent AGMs of continuity. The traditional September-June format will be maintained by the majority, as it is for 80% of national associations across Uefa's 55 members.
The 42
01-08-2025
- Business
- The 42
Low morale, fear of job cuts and desperate for funding - The FAI need a big win
PART OF THE fallout from The 42′s story a week ago that one of the core aims of the FAI's Football Pathway Plan was effectively 'dead in the water' was a willingness from some in Abbotstown to open up about morale. At yet another critical time for the association, the feeling among staff is at an all-time low, with some going as far as describing the mood at its lowest ebb. Fear of redundancies, cuts to budgets for international teams, and stagnant progress have combined to sap the life out of many. In the midst of all this some of the FAI's most important work is ongoing as they prepare the funding proposal to Government for League of Ireland academies. Separately, but still linked to the attempted overhaul of player development, talks over the last few months between grassroots elements of the game and FAI president Paul Cooke, as well as others from the FAI, have made it clear that the Aligned Calendar Season is not something that will be implemented as planned – a phased approach beginning in January of 2026 with full link up to professional level by 2028 will be shelved. Advertisement Details seen by The 42 that were also sent to some members of the Schoolboys/Girls' Football Association of Ireland, it was put to them that a delay of another three years for further consultation might be on the cards. The 42 reported last week how this was rejected by those on the SFAI side, and after the FAI's board meeting on Tuesday The Beat understands that it was agreed to a revised proposal of resolution regarding the calendar year, and that once that happens it is to be brought back to the board for their review as a matter of urgency. In the meantime, as detailed by the Irish Examiner on Wednesday night, a 'Business Transformational Plan' is also to be presented to the FAI board next month. With debt levels around the €40 million mark and staff numbers at 251, with associated payroll costs not far of €14m per annum, there are some who fear for their jobs. The Beat also understands that international coaches at youth level have seen their budgets reduced and have been forced to limit the time they would like to spend with players. Amid the backdrop of such frustration, The 42 revealed on Wednesday that former senior women's manager Eileen Gleeson was set to be appointed to a new position with an emphasis on development and strategy, although it will not be the same role as head of women's and girls' football that she held previously and which Hannah Dingley has since departed. And with the independent auditors appointed on track with their report on the League of Ireland academies, there is at least positivity that the timeframe that was set out by LOI academy manager Will Clarke to present their funding proposal to Government will be met in mid August, with clarity expected in time for October's Budget. An ask of an 11-year commitment with a top end figure of €8m phased in and then tapering off is what the FAI are looking for. Getting this over the line is crucial to provide an element of hope for the future, and that's before you consider that next week will see the FAI continue their search for Marc Canham's permanent replacement as Chief Football Officer. At least two internal candidates are understood to be in the frame, as well as three from outside including one former senior men's international. All will be tasked with presenting their vision on how they intend on delivering the Football Pathways Plan. With so much happening in the background the FAI top brass will soon be back in front of an Oireachtas sport committee after they requested a four-week deferment on a scheduled appearance just after the start of July. The FAI asked for more preparation time for the session, citing 'the complexity introduced by the committee seeking material that relates directly to an ongoing Garda investigation.' A Garda investigation is ongoing after RTÉ and the Sunday Independent detailed in their own joint investigation allegations from the 1990s against former male coaches relating to unwanted sexual advances. Related Reads Roy Keane ad and RTÉ boss miss the point as League of Ireland fans drive culture change Bohemians are a financial monster in League of Ireland and will only get stronger Losing the LOI's top scorer for €30,000 shows measures clubs must take just to keep up With so much happening in and out of the spotlight, the FAI really could do with a big win soon. Roll on the start of World Cup qualifying in September.
