FAI CEO Jonathan Hill has asked all factions within Irish football to make the aims of their Strategy document a reality.
The organisation launched its new 68-page document setting forth their aims for the next four years, spread across six key pillars. Some of the proposed aims include introducing a coherent football pyramid, including the introduction of a third tier to the League of Ireland and a second division for the Women’s National League.
The expansion of the women’s game to 750 clubs is also among the document’s key points, as are the senior men’s and women’s teams qualifying for their next major tournaments.
Per the FAI, the six core pillars of the organisation for the next four years will be to:
• Transform football facilities and infrastructure
• Drive Grassroots football as the heart of the game
• Nurture Football Pathways for All
• Develop the full potential of football for Women and Girls
• Frame a new future of the League of Ireland
• Build for International Success
“Football is the biggest sport in Ireland and over the next four years and the lifespan of this FAI Strategy 2022-2025, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to develop, transform and inspire an Association that can unite and deliver across all our pillars for all our members”, said FAI CEO Jonathan Hill on Monday evening’s launch.
“It is up to all of us now to deliver a new and progressive sssociation, to capitalise on the governance reforms, the transparency and the clarity of thought and vision that have followed the events of recent years. We are now an association for the future. And to deliver this strategy, the game needs to come together like never before.”
Key indicators
In identifying and addressing the challenges the Irish game is facing and to ensure that the FAI’s priorities are mandated from Irish football for Irish football, the FAI Strategy 2022-2025 document has highlighted 61 key performance indicators including:
- 300,000 registered players by the end of 2025 with an increase of 50,000 female players and 28,500 male players
- 3,000 registered referees and a 50 per cent retention rate year on year of newly qualified referees, 12 months following their course completion
- Commence consultation on the formation of an Irish football pyramid by Q4, 2022 with an agreed and transformed football pyramid structure in place by 2025
- 750 clubs nationwide offering football for women and girls by 2025
- 300 female UEFA coaching licence holders by 2025
- 40 per cent female representation across FAI Board, General Assembly and Committees by end of 2023
- A third tier in the League of Ireland by 2023 and a second tier in the Women’s National League by 2025
- A top 30 UEFA league co-efficient for the League of Ireland by 2025
- Full-time staff targets working within League of Ireland clubs to be agreed
- Academy certification system introduced with the League of Ireland by 2023
- Qualification for UEFA Euro 2024
- Qualification for FIFA Women’s World Cup and/or UEFA Women’s Euro 2025
- Qualification for a minimum of two final tournaments per competition cycle at competitive underage level
- Consistent top 30 UEFA ranking for all our senior international teams
- Consistent top 20 UEFA ranking for all our underage international teams
- Turnover to exceed €50m by end of 2025 with deferred income below €10m and ring-fenced cash reserves of at least €6m
- New football management system to replace FAI Net and be operational by 2023
- New primary partner for Men’s National team to be secured in 2022
- Partnership and sponsorship revenue to increase by 50 per cent by end of 2025
- Young Leaders initiative to be developed in 2022 and delivered in 2023
You can read or download a copy of the strategy here.
