LoI Academies

**legendz** · 03/03/2025, 8:31 PM

The FAI are to launch a centralised coaching scheme to rectify disparity.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/...summer%20block.

The FAI will next month begin a centralised in-house national development training programme by assembling 250 of the best aged 14-17 at Abbotstown. The intention is to bridge the contact time deficit between Ireland and similar-sized European competitors.

**culloty82** · 03/03/2025, 8:41 PM

Will be interesting to see how they'll keep tabs on players at clubs like Wexford and Longford - will the criteria be purely based on results, or will coaches at each team be encouraged to nominate who they consider to be their most promising talents?

**Elfman** · 04/03/2025, 3:27 PM

Good point and an interesting announcement from the FAI. On one hand I'm glad they're not just completely outsourcing development to the clubs. On the other hand, given how tight budgets are, I think I'd prefer to see them trying to grow the game to more places rather than focusing on the top, top talent. But it's not a bad thing I suppose.

To answer your question Culloty, and considering how players are not guaranteed their spot for a full season/year, I'd say this would be very much results based.

**Elfman** · 05/03/2025, 2:22 PM

Originally Posted by legendz

Marc Canham was saying for player development, there are three types of models:

1. A small country - really small - where the association runs that player development. You have a national academy where all the best players come and train every day.

2. A bigger country like Germany, Spain or England. They have a really developed professional game and professional clubs, where their players train and they come to the international programme 40-50 days a year. Clubs take a lead on professional development.

3. Is where the FAI are at the moment – requiring a hybrid between them and the clubs.

Over time, he is saying the FAI want clubs to take more responsibility for that development but at the moment they need to work together.

Thanks for sharing the Irish Examiner link legendz. I saw your post in the National League thread and thought I'd respond here in case we get rebuked for derailing the topic with our interest in the academies!

I like how Canham has described the 3 models but I'd think we should be considered a small nation due to the historical underdevelopment of talent at a national level. The only drawback is I wouldn't want to hand over the running of it solely to the FAI!

Personally, I think you'd want to get to a place where the current nursery clubs have a more healthy relationship with the senior clubs so they can develop local talent but are adequately compensated when the best players leave for the underage setup in the senior clubs. This might mean permanent sell-on clauses if the player goes abroad (so nurseries don't lose out if a 16 year old switches clubs within Ireland before going abroad) as I'm struggling to see what else senior clubs can provide them.

As for the FAI, I like their plan for the 250 players to increase contact hours but I think they'll need to do more to get the €10m from the government that is needed for the rest of the country's youth.