Latest news with #SFAI
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Kerry schoolgirls ready to kick off their Gaynor Cup campaign in Limerick
With just a couple of days until the first whistle sounds, on the grounds of the University of Limerick to kick off the 2025 Gaynor Cup, the excitement is certainly building as the Kerry girls begin their odyssey in the prestigious Schoolboys/girls Football Association of Ireland (SFAI) under-14 competition.
Irish Examiner
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Cork lead Munster uprising against 'apartheid' FAI summer soccer plan
The FAI's ploy of making grants for next month's Gaynor and Kennedy Cup conditional on switching to summer season has met a backlash from the majority of leagues in Munster. Instead of approving the annual grant to the Schoolboys/girls' FAI of €160,000, around half the cost of running the underage tournaments at University Limerick, the FAI invited applications from leagues of the 50 participating teams. It was made clear during FAI-hosted webinars this week that payment hinged on applicants expressing intent to switch their schedules to comply with the association's wishes. Last December, the sea-change recommended in the Football Pathways Plan, led by outgoing chief football officer Marc Canham, was passed by a narrow 57% majority of General Assembly members. This was designed to align with the League of Ireland's summer season, whereas 70% of the 75 leagues in Ireland operate the traditional September to May format. Reaction has been deep and widespread. The Leinster Football Association, covering youth and junior leagues in the province, branded the ballot flawed due to alleged FAI influence over voters while the SFAI publicly called for a reevaluation of removing the right of choice from leagues. Adopting the divide-and-conquer method to release money for the showpiece interleague U14 tournaments has provoked a particularly stinging outcry. The Cork schoolboys' league has informed the FAI they won't be applying for the grant before this Friday's deadline. Neil Cronin explained why: 'Our clubs have made it clear, only recently again in a ballot, that they want to remain in the traditional format,' said the league executive. 'If funding is based on a mandatory element you can't change, then there's no point applying. 'I think the commonsense approach on this is to postpone implementation until an independent feasibility study is conducted to establish fully is what the impact is on the players, volunteers and referees.' This position was replicated by the Limerick District schoolchildren's league: 'We're fully in full support Cork SL and wish to advise you that we will not be submitting an application form for grant aid for the Kennedy Cup or Gaynor Cup,' wrote Karen O'Callaghan, league Secretary, to the FAI's head of grassroots Nigel Keady. 'We also as a league fully support the stance of the SFAI where all leagues should have a choice of the season they wish to play, based on the wishes of the clubs in that league. 'The disgraceful removal of the usual grant of €160,000.00 to the SFAI for the Kennedy and Gaynor Cups by the FAI is made even worse by trying to force leagues to sign up for summer soccer by offering them individual grants, subject to agreeing to summer soccer. 'We feel that this is bullying tactics and outrageous how the FAI are punishing children of grassroots soccer. 'You should do the right thing and restore the full grant to the SFAI immediately.' It's understood Waterford adopted the same stance while there was solidarity from the Tipperary South League, despite them working a calendar season. 'The TSS&DL Committee have made the decision not to apply for the grant money as to do so would give support to the FAI approach of a two tier apartheid funding system of grassroots football,' outlined secretary Anthony Phelan. 'The TSS&DL cannot be an affiliate of the SFAI and also support the FAI position which we feel is blackmail and putting a gun to the head of leagues. 'This issue has also been discussed the length and breadth of the country in league meetings with their clubs and the overwhelming outcome is choice. 'Leagues are run by volunteers and weren't found wanting when the FAI was in trouble in recent years and called on their support. This is now how they are treated and rewarded.' Although they're entitled to the grant for their two teams, the league has directed the FAI to distribute their €5,800 to charities Laura Lynn, Jack & Jill, Focus Ireland, Barnardos and Irish Youth Foundation. 'We will also require written confirmation that the above charities have received the money as outlined above on our behalf,' they insist. The league also explains why they're prioritising principles. 'Our committee recognises that this will put our finances under extreme pressure but we are prepared to back the SFAI position and leagues' right of choice and not be financially blackmailed with what is essentially SFAI and affiliate Leagues money," it says. 'These are net contributors to the FAI through our 200,000-plus members who pay €3 registration for each player on the FAI Connect system.'
Irish Examiner
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Grassroots amateur football fraternity unites to seek right of season choice
The Grassroots Amateur Football Clubs of Ireland – founded to give clubs a voice in the ongoing dispute over summer football – insist they are not engineering a breakaway from the FAI. A plan unveiled by outgoing chief football officer Marc Canham 16 months ago carried the standout desire to synchronise all football in the country from underage with the League of Ireland. This element was advanced apparently due to 65% of participants favouring calendar football – despite no specific question on season format being part of their digital survey. LOI switched to a summer season in 2002 after an internal vote. Yet the FAI included all strands of the game, including LOI, in the ballot for an overall change in December - it being marginally carried by 57%. Concerned clubs had lobbied for a no vote in advance of that vote, contending they should have autonomy to decide whether to stick with the traditional school season or switch to summer. Of Uefa's 55 countries, 80% operate the September to May format, with almost 70% of leagues doing so in Ireland. Meetings held in Carlow and Limerick attracted around 300 people from clubs and leagues opposed to the edict. Their cause has grown to 600 clubs across 22 leagues in 17 counties. Politicians were also part of the audience and they, including Sinn Sinn Féin deputy Dáil leader Pearse Doherty, grilled an FAI delegation during last week's presentation on the matter at Leinster House. Under the FAI's phased proposal, schoolboys/girls are to introduce the 'calendar' season from next January for players up to age 12. None of the top six leagues in the country – DDSL and North Dublin, along with Cork, Galway, Waterford and Limerick – have so far signed up for the overhaul. That has left the FAI resorting to financial threats. The Schoolboys/girls (SFAI) is by far the largest affiliate in the country and following feedback from its member leagues, pleaded with the FAI in February to 're-evaluate' the directive. Furthermore, the grant of €160,000 received by the SFAI to defray the costs of running the annual Kennedy and Gaynor Cups tournaments, was recently rejected by the FAI. They have instead cut out the conduit by seeking grant applications directly from leagues, pointing out it will 'only be made to leagues that meet the requirements for grant funding.' They add that questions must be answered for eligibility to be determined, including a request for their customised 'aligned calendar' for 2026. Applications for the monies, which would cover the extra €3,000 payable for each of the 50 teams heading to University Limerick next month, closes on Friday week. Club Mark is another mechanism being floated to strongarm entities into towing the party line. This accreditation is contingent on adhering to FAI policy and the suggestion is that clubs without it won't be permitted to field teams next year. Foremost among the reasons for resistance is the direct clash with GAA fixtures. However, a multitude of other concerns have been raised including state exams in June, Irish college, summer jobs and the reality of holidays. The biggest league in the country, the DDSL, derived from a recent survey that summer months were preferable for family holidays. They and other leagues under instruction from the FAI trialled the summer concept in 2018 until clubs proposed a reversion. While the FAI's chief executive David Courell last week claimed leagues could break for June, July and August, significant drop-off rates from such a lull, particularly to teams not competing for honours, is inevitable. 'The FAI failed to conduct a risk assessment which would have highlighted how the switch to summer will cause serious impact on clubs,' said Sarah Duffy, chairperson of GFCI, secretary of the Wicklow district league. 'Our clubs forecast a loss of up to 40/50% of players and volunteers if we are forced into this, with some clubs informing us that they face closure. Club members have become guarantors on loans for building facilities such as all-weather pitches and the financial model for repayment would change from this reduction. "We're not looking to have a breakaway from the FAI, simply seeking to have our right of choice preserved.' GFCI, whose members stretch nationwide from Wexford up to Donegal, including the Midlands, Galway and Limerick along the way, intend staging meetings in the coming weeks.
The Irish Sun
06-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
FAI set to fund grassroots football leagues for Kennedy and Gaynor Cup – but with twist SFAI label ‘very disappointing'
THE FAI will offer to fund leagues' entries into the Kennedy and Gaynor Cup - but they must sign up to the aligned football calendar. The SFAI complained last month that the Association had withheld funds which it uses to host the showpiece tournaments for girls and boys in Limerick in June. Advertisement 1 FAI Grassroots Director Ger McDermott clapped back at SFAI criticism Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile It was linked to the affiliate's opposition to a change to calendar-year football, the first stage of which, up to under-12 level, is due to be introduced in 2026. In response, FAI Grassroots Director Ger McDermott insisted grants were always contingent on implementing strategy, with the changed calendar endorsed by a vote last December. He said: 'Our strategy has changed but why and how we pay out money hasn't changed.' Entry fees for the tournaments for the competing representative sides have increased but the FAI is making funds available to participants. Advertisement Read More on FAI In an email sent out late on Monday night seen by SunSport, SFAI chairman Padraic Clarke wrote: 'Last Friday (via a late email), the FAI confirmed that the SFAI's application for funding has not been approved for payment. 'Instead, the FAI SLT (Senior Leadership Team) proposed that the budgeted amount be made available to participating leagues through their grant application process. This recommendation has been approved by the FAI Board. 'We understand the FAI intends to reach out to leagues to explain this process. However, given that the SFAI application was rejected due to our inability to immediately commit to the FFP (Football Pathways Plan) aligned season model, we expect similar terms and conditions will apply to leagues seeking funding through this new route. 'It is deeply disappointing that the FAI Board has endorsed this initiative and continues to link funding to the implementation of a mandatory calendar season framework. This approach is disconnected from the needs of current U14 players and squads - but it is the position we find ourselves in.' Advertisement Most read in Sport The FAI itself can point to how there are strings attached to its own funding, by way of a Memorandum of Understanding in order to access state aid. And a spokesperson said: 'The application process for affiliates to receive grant funding from the Football Association of Ireland is aligned with the Association's strategy. The Association will invite leagues to join a webinar this week to explain this process in full.' Heimir Hallgrímsson & John O'Shea spread some Christmas cheer at CHI Crumlin In his e-mail, Clark attempted to provide background to why the SFAI had not agreed to the conditions upon which funding rested. He wrote: 'I want to clarify a point that has been mischaracterised: we did not 'ignore' the FAI, nor did I fail to engage at any stage. Advertisement 'We were placed in an extremely difficult position - navigating tight deadlines, contract obligations with service providers, and intense pressure from multiple directions, including teams and parents (which we understand - but was another factor). 'After handling a barrage of other urgent tasks, I confirmed that the SFAI was unable to sign up to the proposed terms at this time. This was not a matter of unwillingness, but of prioritisation.'
The 42
23-04-2025
- Politics
- The 42
FAI chief says Marc Canham's successor does not need to come from Irish football
FAI CEO DAVID Courell says the resignation of chief football officer Marc Canham is 'disappointing', but says his successor does not need to be Irish nor sourced from Irish football. Canham yesterday announced his intention to leave the FAI and return to England with his family, having first joined the FAI in August 2022. Canham will leave the organisation in three months time, with the FAI set to draw up an interim plan to cover the gap between Canham's departure and the arrival of his permanent successor. The FAI plan to use an external recruitment firm to guide the process, and will next week assemble an internal panel to decide upon the final hire. Courell will sit on this panel, and he says there will be involvement of a board member at some point in the process, though he declined to say who that board member would be. Courell say the plan is to hire a single candidate as a chief football officer, but says there are no preferences as to where they come from. 'We have huge talent and expertise within the Irish football community. I anticipate and hope that candidates come forward, it is an amazing opportunity,' said Courell at a media briefing today. 'With that said, am I exclusively going to say the search is restricted to these shores? No, we need to make sure we make the right appointment. If that person is Irish, then fantastic. But I am not going to close off, that would be irresponsible of us to do. We have to find the right person for the role.' The successful candidate will not be given scope to rip up the FAI's football pathways plan, however, which was Canham's signature piece of work. Courell was at pains to point out that, while the document was led by Canham, it is the product of 16,000 hours of consultation and thus is a piece of work reflecting the vision of the whole of the game in Ireland. One of its main pillars, the aligning of all levels of the Irish game in a single calendar, has been met with stiff opposition, with the SFAI – the FAI's largest affiliate – calling for it to be reconsidered and the Leinster FA calling the voting procedure by which it was adopted 'flawed.' Courell denied that Canham's exit is evidence that he had little confidence in its future direction. Advertisement 'His confidence in what the organisation and what we are trying to achieve has not changed,' said Courell of Canham. 'Marc took some time out with his family – he went on leave – to decide what was important for him. He returned from that break and decided for personal reasons he is electing to step away from the role. That should not take away from the confidence he has in what we are doing as an organisation.' Courell said Canham's successor must be able to bring all of the game along with them, including any conscientious objectors. 'This is not a sleight on Marc, just a recognition that whoever takes over from the good work he has done will have to have the ability to bring our stakeholders with us,' said Courell. 'In that programme for change, there will be people who are naturally uncomfortable. It is very important that we have someone who can engage and communicate with people, so they can see the real value in this and take confidence that this is grounded in trying to improve Irish football.' As to the fierce resistance to the aligned calendar, Courell is clear the FAI have been given a mandate to drive on with it. Initially endorsed by the board, the change was pushed to the FAI's General Assembly for a vote, which was ultimately passed by a narrow majority. Asked as to how some affiliates now objecting to the change had representatives vote in favour of the very same thing, Courell replied, 'I can't speak for the internal machinations of the affiliates, all I can speak to is that we had unanimous support for the football pathways plan from our board and as part of that, the same goes for the aligned calendar. And most importantly we took it to a vote and it passed, that's all I can say.' The FAI are visiting government buildings next week to brief politicians on the facts and details of their aligned calendar plan. Elsewhere, Courell said Eileen Gleeson and Cathal Dervan remain employees of the FAI, but declined to say anything further about their roles at the Association. Gleeson was expected to return to a staff position following the end of her period as senior women's head coach, but no details on that role have ever been forthcoming. Dervan, a former broadcaster and sports journalist, was hired by the FAI in 2019 as director of communications and public relations. Dervan recently took a workplace rights claim against the FAI to the workplace relation commission, with the case quickly adjourned in February of this year as the FAI and Dervan had come to a deal 'in principle.' Separately asked of the unusual situation that has arisen across the last three years, in which the men's U21 team sometimes were sometimes staffed with more senior press officers than the men's senior team in spite of a much smaller media presence following the U21 team, Courell replied, 'we are looking at everything that we do to make sure we are delivering effectively and efficiently.' Courell also confirmed the FAI employ the services of an external communications company, Teneo, saying 'it's natural for an organisation of our size.' 'We have fantastic in-house comms support,' continued Courell. 'On occasion, there are merits in having an outside view to help us think things through with different lengths and that's part and parcel of any organisation to be honest, be it sporting or otherwise. We're not unique in this. 'I think our message can always be stronger. There's probably not enough recognition of all of the good work the Association is doing. That's why we are endeavouring to improve on our reach and cut through because we have so much good stuff to tell but unfortunately too often that doesn't get the headlines, so I'd ask for your support on that.' Elsewhere, Courell confirmed the FAI hoped to have a commitment to invest in professional League of Ireland academies included in the government's budget later this year. Courell is adamant the government is willing to invest in academies, but they have needed more details and assurances around how that money will be invested. 'Their nervousness and questions primarily centre around investing into private enterprises,' said Courell. 'It's not something governments normally do and we want to work with them and clubs to give them the comfort and confidence. Even explaining that we have an established licensing process within our league, that we have visibility is something that can give comfort of where investments are going. 'It's about ensuring continuity of independent audits, giving the line of sight to Government to know where the investment is going where it's needed most. Hence the introduction of a tiered approach. There is potential to look at a means tested element: if one club has a bumper season in Europe, should they get the same as the club the next season as the one who finished bottom of the league? What if a club has a significant international transfer? Is there a reinvestment aspect to that revenue that they derive?' Courell says the FAI are also developing a 'coalition of voices' from around the game to articulate the importance of this investment, and says he is open to Stephen Bradley, Damien Duff, or any other League of Ireland manager becoming involved. 'I'm open to whoever wants to come in and work with us,' said Courell. 'Genuinely I want to make sure we get this right. 'Too often Irish football has not come together. The stage is set, we have a window so let's show the group power of the game. Let's get it done.'
