FAI: FAI announces Facilities and Infrastructure Vision and Strategy

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Informed by comprehensive research and a data-led approach, the strategy has been developed to ensure that football,*as the number one participation sport in Ireland*and which is continuing to experience significant growth, particularly amongst*women and girls, is set up for success and can cater for the needs of future generations at all levels from grassroots to elite.*
The*launch of the FAI’s Facility strategy follows the announcement of the FAI’s*four-year strategy for 2022-2025 in which facility development was outlined as the number one objective.*Over the past year, the FAI has conducted detailed and extensive research in order to accurately quantify the challenge facing Irish football, with research focusing on*an in-depth facilities audit, quantitative research amongst grassroots clubs, and detailed analysis of European benchmarks.*
The FAI has outlined a clear, evidence-based approach for investment exploring all avenues of funding across various Government funds, local authorities, UEFA and FIFA private investment and investment from clubs, affiliates and the FAI itself.
The investment case will also be supported by*the proposed establishment of an*Ireland Football Facility Fund,*which will encourage strategic investment into Irish football and ensure an independent, consistent, professional, and dedicated focus on facilities transformation is maintained.**
FAI Chief Executive, Jonathan Hill, commented,*“We are pleased to unveil our facility and infrastructure strategy today which was one of the key commitments in our four-year strategy announced in 2021.
“The goal of this strategy is to realise football’s full potential within our grassroots communities, deliver a new future for our League of Ireland, and inspire future generations by creating the environment to support and*produce competitive international teams at all levels.*We have the opportunity to take decisive action now and create*a modern and fit-for-purpose football infrastructure*and transform football in this country.”**
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“As the governing body of football in Ireland, we have a responsibility to enable football to flourish, and in doing so to also support the interests of Irish society and the Irish economy.**Our vision is to create the infrastructure and facilities that enable Ireland’s number one sport to thrive and deliver a truly transformational impact for Irish football.”***
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FAI President Gerry McAnaney commented,*“Football is the number one participation sport in Ireland,*but it has been under invested in for the last 25 years and we have fallen behind our European counterparts when it comes to facilities investment.*This is not the fault of any single entity, but it is a simple fact. Take as an example, women's and girls’ football which has experienced exponential growth in recent years but will suffer if we do not invest in facilities now.
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“We fully appreciate that all sports have funding requirements and while we have detailed our own investment requirements within this strategy, we are happy to be part of an overall solution. In this regard, our strategy sets out a modern approach to delivering facilities for a new era – Community- focused planning, catering for multiple clubs and indeed sports.”
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Click here to read the Facilities and Infrastructure Vision and Strategy
This vision and strategy analyses the facility and infrastructure needs of Ireland’s number one*participation sport*to ensure it is set up for success and can cater for the needs of future generations.*
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• Total investment proposed of €863m over a 15-year period focusing on the three core areas of*Grassroots (€426m), League of Ireland (€390m) and International (€47m) and with a proposed funding approach from both public and private sources.

• Grassroots*investment focusing on new pitches, upgrades to existing pitches, new and upgraded clubhouses and more multi-sport, community-focused facilities with the FAI Club Mark scheme at the heart of proposed changes as well as the formation of eight new FAI grassroots regions. Of particular concern at grassroots level is football for women and girls which has experienced exponential growth in popularity but will suffer without investment in facilities, as they will not be able to cater for ongoing demand and growth.

• League of Ireland*investment focusing on Academies and connected training facilities and LOI stadia and delivering a sustainable League that serves the needs of communities and football in every region. Investment will also support the development of talent in a post- Brexit environment as more young players remain in Ireland.

• International*investment focusing on the development of a National Football Centre and high-quality facilities in order to*produce competitive teams at all levels that can qualify for tournaments on a regular basis.

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Introduction:
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has announced its Facilities and Infrastructure Vision and Strategy which*analyses the facility and infrastructure needs of Irish football. It*outlines a total proposed investment of €863m and almost 2,500 projects across three core areas of*Grassroots (€426m), League of Ireland (€390m) and International (€47m).




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