Five Meath clubs in Future Football

Republic of Ireland player and Sunderland FC Captain John O’Shea officially launched McDonald’s Football Association of Ireland (FAI), Future Football 2014, which will see five football clubs from Meath take part in the programme.

McDonald’s FAI Future Football is a programme designed to encourage the participation of boys and girls in sport, support grassroots football clubs and enhance the work they do at local level. Ashbourne FC and Parkvilla FC who took part last year and new additions Killegland, Park Certic Summerhill, and Trim Celtic football clubs will take part in a range of programme activities in 2014. 

 The programme will deliver free coaching workshops to 600 grassroots coaches nationwide, which will deliver best practice for the coaching of Small Sided Games (4 vs 4 and 7 vs 7), aimed at developing skills in young players. Boys and girls (under 8, under 9 and under 10) will participate in a range of exciting Future Football events that will be rolled out over the coming months.

McDonald’s FAI Future Football events to take place in 2014 include 24 community Fun Days to be held in 24 locations around Ireland, supported by McDonald’s. A Future Football competition will also take place, with winners from the regional final days to participate in the McDonald’s Cup Final, which will be held in the Aviva Stadium in October 2014.

In 2013, the McDonald’s FAI Future Football programme generated more than 35,000 additional hours of activity for over 4,000 children participating in the programme. For 2014, 140 clubs have registered to participate and it is expected that up to 7,000 boys and girls in Ireland will take part, generating 60,000 additional hours of activity.

Republic of Ireland player and Sunderland FC Captain John O’Shea today said; “I am delighted to launch the McDonald’s FAI Future Football programme this year. Development of the game at grassroots level is something that I am passionate about. Kids playing today will be the next generation of Irish footballers and it’s crucial that we equip them at an early age with the skills necessary to go the distance. Local clubs are the lifeblood of the sport and it’s fantastic to see McDonald’s and the FAI in partnership, delivering a robust development programme.” 

 Morgan McStay, Owner Operator McDonald’s restaurant in Ashbourne said: “We have seen an overwhelming response from clubs to the Future Football programme this year and are we thrilled to report that the programme will almost double in size in 2014 with 140 local football clubs set to participate.”

Mike Ruding, Owner Operator McDonald’s in Navan said: “The Future Football programme enables McDonald’s to give back to local communities in a meaningful way and to continue to promote participation in active healthy lifestyles for young people. It is estimated that 60,000 additional hours of activity will be generated for those participating in Future Football activities throughout the year.”

 

Photos:

Adrian Crean, Managing Director, McDonald’s Restaurants of Ireland; Barry Gleeson, Club and League Development Manager, Football Association of Ireland; John O’Shea, Republic of Ireland Football Player and Sunderland FC Captain; Players from Corduff FC, Blanchardstown. Photos: Dave Maher Sportsfile.