The new FAI Pathway plan
Here is the independent break down 10 key points.

The FAI’s new Football Pathways Plan is being unveiled by director of football Marc Canham today, setting out a 12-year vision to “maximise the potential of Irish football across all levels.”

The 55-page document sets out the association’s plan based on three core areas, participation, pathways and performance.

With standout changes such as the creation of new games programmes to align the football calendar from January to December, the introduction of a head of football in every club and league in the country, as well as a new clear playing style for all international teams, the Irish Independent brings you 10 key points from the Football Pathways Plan.

1 - ‘Irish ID’ and clear playing style

The FAI have introduced “the Green Line”, a clear identity and approach to playing and coaching with assertive, attacking and attractive football at the core for all international teams from underage to senior level.

This ties in with the FAI’s plans to appoint a ‘head coach’ for the men’s national side, as opposed to a more traditional ‘manager’ figure, and also follows on from Eileen Gleeson’s appointment as head coach of the women’s nations side in December.

2 - Duplication

During the consultation process, the FAI found there’s currently too much duplication between stakeholders, leagues and clubs across the country, with some stakeholders pulling in different directions coupled with a high volume of organisations, clubs and affiliates.

With this in mind, the association says it’s a priority to restructure how football is governed over the next three years and beyond, with new regional FAI divisions to be built along with the creation of one rule book and one registration period.

3 - Calendar - when will games be played?

As reported by independent.ie earlier this month, all leagues at senior and underage level are to be aligned to the same January to December schedule.

The plan states that there is currently an inconsistent approach to underage football in Ireland, with the calendar lasting for just 30 weeks of the year. 65pc of those consulted believe calendar football is the way forward.

Now, the FAI have split the age groups into five sections from age five up to adult football, with leagues to be played up to Under-14 level from February to June and blitzes, football camps and mini leagues to take place afterwards.

From Under-15 onwards, the league season will align with the regular League of Ireland season. Clubs will also be encouraged to introduce smaller sided games like 5v5 and 7v7 to maximise players’ experiences

4 - Engagement

The FAI stress at the bottom of the proposed calendar that “this will be developed in collaboration with the game,” and convincing top amateur clubs and leagues to buy into the calendar change will be crucial.

Canham says in his summary that “key to the delivery of the plan will be a collaborative and consultative approach, ensuring we listen and gather feedback on all elements of the plan at all times.

FAI director of football Marc Canham

"We thank everyone involved in Irish football that has contributed to the development of the plan thus far and we look forward to continuing that engagement and collaboration.”

This suggests that some elements of the plan are not a done deal yet and will require more consultation with clubs and leagues to bring them into fruition.

5 - New national football centre and academy

Following on from the FAI’s facilities investment strategy which was released last year, the association has stressed again that at international level a new national football centre is needed.

The FAI hopes to establish a fit-for-purpose National Football Centre within their existing campus footprint in Abbotstown, where men’s and women’s international teams from Under-15s to senior level can train and prepare for matches and tournaments.

The proposed centre will also act as a learning hub for players, coaches and officials, while high-potential players from each region will be developed there too.

The FAI say that funding from government and private investment will be required to deliver the new national football centre.

6 - Education

Education is a big feature of the new 12-year plan with the association intending to integrate football into all levels of education across Ireland.

They say that football is currently “not maximising its opportunity with education”, and so a new education and development strategy is set to be built to support players from primary to third level

The FAI hope to create a new full-time football scholarship from U-17 to U-19s in every League of Ireland club, with full-time training and education provided as well as a bursary for players.

The number of Transition Year football programmes is set to increase too to further support and develop high-potential players.

7 - Building capacity in clubs and leagues

The FAI are set to expand the club and league mark programme and introduce a head of football in every club and league across Ireland, who will oversee the delivery of the FAI playbook and deliver courses among other responsibilities.

The club mark will ensure every club has appropriate structures, governance and coaching in place while the league mark will create a governance and operation framework to support leagues at all levels.

8 - New leagues and FAI Amateur Cup

A key priority over the next three years will be to create a third tier in the men’s League of Ireland and a second tier in the women’s equivalent, while the FAI Cup is set to be expanded alongside the introduction of a new FAI Amateur Cup.

As reported by independent.ie earlier this month, a new men’s third tier is set to be introduced consisting of separate north and south ‘National League Premier’ divisions.

The FAI says this will enable the FAI Cup to be expanded, while a new FAI Amateur Cup will be on offer for sides in tiers three to six.

9 - Funding

Following on from last year’s Facility Investment strategy which sought €863 million to fund 2,500 infrastructure projects over the next 15 years, the FAI say that investment for the Pathways plan will be required from three key areas, the association itself, football stakeholders (ie: UEFA) as well as from government and private investors.

To remain cost neutral, the FAI will use existing funding to support player development and the club and league marks, funds from football stakeholders will help the FIFA Talent development scheme while government and private investment will be used for projects like the new national football centre and academy development.

10 - More opportunities for women and girls

A key priority for the FAI is to deliver a Women’s and Girls football strategy and leadership academy. A new national academy programme for girls aged between 12-16 is set to be introduced too.

Off the back of Ireland’s first Women’s World Cup last summer, the women’s and girls strategy will support and develop players at all ages.

The new leadership academy intends to grow future leaders through early intervention and increase the number of females in all elements of Irish football, including in international and club head coaching and management roles and in governance positions, among others.

Over the next three years another priority is to build a new national academy, with players aged 12-14 involved in a pre-academy set-up before progressing to either north or south national set-ups with a view to securing a League of Ireland scholarship at 17.