FAI Strategy 2026-2029

Some interesting stuff in this. I suppose they can be pretty pleased that by their own measure, they reached most of the targets, and an acknowledgement fairly early that the aligned calendar was divisive, which I presume is why when it takes about Organisation its all at a macro level nothing re rationalisation of structures at local/regional level5 UEFA Cat 3 Stadiums is pretty ambitious, but equally, I guess that they have set that target based on Dalymount, Tallaght, Sligo, Harps and Derry (?) as developments in train for delivery at that time. Lifecycle investmet re the Aviva is also interesting as I'm not sure what they mean by that ?I think the biggest takeaway though, is the independent review of the League Governance and formats with a roadmap to be agreed. Like that has the potential to be nothing or a big shakeup https://www.fai.ie/strategy/

The National League and Women's Development League are supposed to test and shape future pyramid development.
There's a target for a minimum 8 top tier LoI academies being established.
Another target is a minimum of 5 UEFA category-3 and 15 UEFA category-2 stadiums.

It is important to have these as strategic plans. Delivering on these plans is another matter.

Ambitious minimum, Tallaght, Derry, Sligo, Dalymount all at an advanced stage from planning to near completion. Turners Cross wouldnt be far off surely. Tolka needs a good bit but getting there it looks like. Aviva could be thrown in if its at least Cat 5. Any other legitimate contenders? I think they should have gone with 8 minimum. Can RSC be brought up to permanent Cat 3. ED Park would fail on technicalities but could be solvable. St Pats of course have ambitious plans to shoehorn Cat 3 in to Richmond. Dundalk and Drogs wont do anything this decade unless the new LouthCoCo CEO changes priorities as the former development manager of Sports Campus Ireland. But Cat 2 certainly doable at Oriel. Not Drogs. Where else is up to it, UCD, Longford must be creaking a bit would it take much retrofitting to meet the higher criteria from their cup winning days. Will Wexfords plans have Cat 2 priorities or focus on community facility stuff. So Cobh, doubt it wiithout a lot of work, Kerry its a very long term things, Treaty and issues with LEDP make it hard to see progress there. Athlone have good scope and stadium base to work from, could maube already meet many Cat 2 requirements. Bray would have space at the Carlisle I think but a lot of work needed there too. So thats a quick round of all the grounds - good to have ambition set out as targets. €30-40mil needed to make Cat 2 a possibility as a guesstimate of 1 new stand to meet a lot of technical requirements. Which is what 1 new or full refurb of a stadium for Cat 3, about €100mil. Is €150-200m capital grant and investment in infrastructure ever likely to happen? We'll need a new minister of sport, dont care what anyone says, if the current chaps opinion is sufficiently snubbed he's not an easy man to turn even with the best of sense and proper planning. How long is there left of this government if theres no shuffle at cabinet....Siad a thousands times, clubs need to knuckle down and get plans done and in for funding during the Euro hosting and play heavily on the hosts post tournament legacy. Excluding the 5 cat 3 that will be done. It'd be a conservative €2-2.5mil for cat 2s

Harps new stadium is planned to meet UEFA Cat 3 requirements.

Yeah Im hoping to be still about in 2056 to see it. and yes I forgot about Finn Park.....

Not sure what the exact criteria are, but I think the big thing for us would be the floodlights. There was a planning application made for new ones recently but grants would be needed for that to happen. The car park possibly may need work too, and maybe TV facilities. Otherwise I'd imagine we have enough space and existing facilities to get there without massive structural work. Not that we'll have to worry about Europe any time soon.

Naw but it did happen and could happen again so knowing how far you are off and it not prohibitive great!

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Originally Posted by Longfordian

Not sure what the exact criteria are, but I think the big thing for us would be the floodlights. There was a planning application made for new ones recently but grants would be needed for that to happen. The car park possibly may need work too, and maybe TV facilities. Otherwise I'd imagine we have enough space and existing facilities to get there without massive structural work. Not that we'll have to worry about Europe any time soon.

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There's some odd elements to Cat 3 stadia, specific requirements for dressing rooms including TV monitors and fridges and storage space, additional turnstiles for the like of Longford (one per every 660 spectators), presumably at a push, Longford could install more turnstiles up the other end of the ground at the staff carpark entrance. All public areas within grounds need to have CCTV, loads of extra media space required, two working camera positions with five commentary positions, Longford would ideally build a whole new media gantry area above the current one. Two TV studios, four post match interview spaces, outside broadcast area of 600m² and a press conference room. To get to Cat 4, it's even more strict again with a hell of a lot of additional work. Huge undertaking for a lot of clubs to get near those requirements, but presumably there'd be some level of derogation for some of them.

Thanks Nigel. Yeah nothing completely impossible there. But as mentioned above not going to be an immediate concern unless we get one of these fairy godmother "investors" that don't seem to expect any return..