Our Work with the FAI / GAA / IRFU

FAI

The recent allocation to the FAI was to support in particular the organisation's work with those groups that have been traditionally less active in soccer. Key among the achievements of the FAI has been their work with various special needs or interest groups in promoting the benefits of engaging in soccer. The FAI appointed the first full time Intercultural Co-ordinator of any National Governing Body to assist them to develop a comprehensive plan to engage with the growing non-national population within the country. Recently the FAI launched an Intercultural Plan to support and provide opportunities to new entrants to the country to engage in soccer and also supported the training of the Special Olympics squads in preparation for the World Games in Shanghai in October 2007. The FAI also continue to roll out their futsal programme particularly in disadvantaged areas and they will be amending their Buntús programme to reflect this game which focuses on skill development and small sided games. In addition, they continue to roll out their successful soccer summer schools and also to qualify coaches at all levels from Kick Start 1 to UEFA Pro Licence.

For more information visit http://www.fai.ie/

GAA

The recent allocation to the GAA was broken down between the Grassroots to National Programme, Hurling Development and Dublin GAA.

Recent initiatives have seen the GAA focus on developing greater resources for their coaches and volunteers at local level and developed the innovative Fun Do coaching resource packs for both hurling and football. These interactive packs included DVD, DVD-ROMs and booklets that can be used to develop training plans that can be adapted for games to suit the various levels of underage players focusing on key skills. The initiative has won the 'Best E-Learning Product or Course' category in the 6th annual Digital Media Awards. The GAA continue to roll out their very successful Cúl Camps through local GAA clubs and they anticipate that they will have over 80,000 children involved in the initiative in 2008. Within Dublin, the GAA are currently supporting the development of new clubs in growing communities such as Adamstown and Tyrellstown where there a large number of children coming from non- traditional GAA backgrounds.

For more information visit http://www.gaa.ie/

IRFU

The recent allocation to the IRFU for 2007 was €3.5m to continue to grow and develop the number of young people playing rugby. The IRFU are continuing to roll out their Community Development programme throughout the country and are also increasing the number of training courses they offer for coaches and referees. The Tag Rugby programme for adults continues to be a great success and has been well supported across the country.

In March 2007, the IRFU successfully hosted the U19 Rugby World Cup in Belfast, an event that was very well supported by local fans and which provided a great example to those interested in taking up and playing rugby. At the end of 2007, the IRFU received an additional allocation of €250,000 to support the development of their talent squad programme for those young players who have the potential to become elite players in the future.

For more information visit http://www.irishrugby.ie/