Disadvantaged areas targeted

The FAI have called on the Government to make a significant contribution towards the cost of developing the game in disadvantaged areas in its first pre-Budget submission.

Entitled Improving the Quality of Life and Social Inclusion Through the Development of Soccer, the document makes a case for dramatically improved funding from the state which would both recognise the achievements by the various Irish underage teams on the European and world stages in recent years and invest in the association's programme for the future development of the game in less well-off areas.

Specifically, the association is seeking funding for the employment of another 30 regional development officers, help with the cost of running coaching sessions in disadvantaged areas and a major contribution towards the cost of its annual programme of international fixtures.

"We have sent copies of the document to every TD, not just the minister," said FAI chief executive Bernard O'Byrne yesterday. "And we would be optimistic about the response as we feel that everything that we are putting forward here is entirely in line with the Government's stated policy on sport and social cohesion."

O'Byrne pointed out that while the association is committed to the continued expansion of its international programme, the number of women's and underage matches being played at present, 73 a season and more than 90 in the current calendar year, represents a growing drain on the organisation's resources.

"Only five games a season make a profit for us, the rest are loss making and while we are in the business of playing football and that's not going to change, we do feel that given the amount of good that is derived from all of these games and particularly from our recent successes at international tournaments, it is not unreasonable to seek some money from central government towards the considerable expenses involved."

Last season alone more than £500,000 was spent by the association on their underage teams alone with another £200,000 going towards the cost of running the women's and junior international sides.

In its submission the FAI is seeking the provision of 50 per cent of these costs by the Government as well as 80 per cent of the cost of establishing 40 coaches/development officers around the country - at present 10 are employed. A further £50,000 annually is sought to help with the costs of running training seminars in specified areas around the country.

"I think it's interesting to note that in the Yugoslavia game there recently every one of the 11 players who started had played for Ireland at youth level," said Republic of Ireland youth coach and FAI technical director Brian Kerr. "And many of them originally came from areas that mightn't necessarily be described as the best parts of town.

"That's what I'd point to when people ask what you get for this sort of investment. So far the association have been very supportive of everything that we have been trying to do at underage level the results are there for everybody to see but there is a lot of progress still to be made and I don't think it's enough for everybody just to sit around and all feel very happy whenever we win something. There has to be a commitment made towards helping the entire process along."

In total the submission makes the case for £2.4 million of public funds per annum for the next five years, which O'Byrne admits is "large by previous and current standards of Government support", but "tiny compared to the potential social and health returns" which could be achieved.