European football’s governing body has presented the Irish FA with a Gold Award in its annual Grassroots Charter programme for season 2019/2020 for the second year running.
UEFA determines the status of each of its member associations based on information collected through audits, a wide-ranging survey and through its UEFA Grassroots Mentors who are assigned to each country to assess their delivery of strategic development plans.
Frank K. Ludolph Head of Football Education Services for UEFA said; “I can only congratulate the Irish FA on behalf of the UEFA Grassroots Panel for the achievements of its Grassroots Programme. The gold status under the UEFA Grassroots Charter is well deserved and witnesses a multi-layered and comprehensive investment into the grassroots game by a smaller UEFA member association. This is one of the best practice examples that we look for to promote across Europe.”
New Northern Ireland Manager Ian Baraclough said, “This is a fantastic achievement for the Irish FA and the Irish FA Foundation. It is a great reflection of our work at grassroots level across Northern Ireland promoting football for all and delivering the Let Them Play youth football strategy.
“It’s a reflection of the progress we are all making delivering and promoting the youth strategy, girls’ football, disability and futsal plans with all our partners.
Irish FA CEO, Patrick Nelson added, “Very few national associations receive gold status and we would like to dedicate this award to our staff, our partners and, most importantly, the clubs and volunteers at grassroots level who make it all happen.”
