On Wednesday April 13th 2016, the Irish Football Association shone the spotlight on Clubs and Volunteers as they celebrated their efforts and achievements in the last year.
This inaugural Club and Volunteer Recognition event was hosted in the Merchant Hotel (Belfast) and sought to celebrate the achievements of clubs achieving the Irish FA Club Excellence Accreditation scheme as well as members of the Irish FA volunteer Team.
Alongside Clubs & Volunteers, the Irish Football Association were delighted to welcome members of the IFA Board and guest speakers such as the IFA Director of Football Development Michael Boyd, IFA President Jim Shaw, IFA Chief Executive Patrick Nelson and Senior Men’s International Manager Michael O’Neill. Their involvement was testament to the high regard in which the Irish FA holds Club and Volunteer development, identifying it as a pivotal component and indicator of success of the recently launched IFA Youth Strategy, “Let Them Play”.
Speaking at the event, Irish FA Director of Football Development, Michael Boyd said: “Club and Volunteer Development is recognised as a key area in our future development and is an objective within our Youth Strategy, Let Them Play. Tonight is a way to say thank you for the efforts of clubs and volunteers as well as motivating them to make a real difference in terms of developing players, promoting positive relations and making Northern Ireland football the best it can be.”
The Irish FA Club Excellence Mark is an accreditation scheme which allows clubs to embark upon a process that will develop all aspects of their club. This will improve their capacity, skills base and structure, facilitating the best possible environment for kids to learn the beautiful game.
The Irish FA Volunteer Team was developed in September 2014 and provides volunteers the opportunity to get involved within Irish FA programmes and activities. The Volunteer Team played a key role in the Euro 2016 Qualifying campaign through their involvement in the Irish FA fan zones as well as provision of spectator engagement and support.
For more information on the Irish FA Volunteer Team contact Stephen Garrett (Irish FA Volunteer Development and Policy Officer) via sgarrett@irishfa.com
For more information on the Irish FA Club Excellence Scheme contact Diarmuid O’Carroll (Irish FA Club and Community Development Officer) via docarroll@irishfa.com
For more information on the Irish FA Youth Strategy, Let Them Play contact Geri Cushnan (Irish FA Football Development Administrator) via geri.cushnan@irishfa.com
