Football is Ireland: Celebrating the Past and Investing in the Future

This article is based on the content provided by Aodhán Ó’Riordain during his speech at the Dail Debate on the 12th of July 2023

A link to the speech text itself can be found here.

Introduction:

Football is more than just a game in Ireland—it is a part of our national identity and heritage. Despite historical challenges and underinvestment, football has continued to capture the hearts of Irish people and inspire generations. It is time for the government to recognize the importance of football and provide comprehensive support and investment to propel the sport to new heights. This article celebrates the rich history of football in Ireland while highlighting the urgent need for increased funding to benefit grassroots football, the League of Ireland, and international teams.

A Historic Perspective:

Football has faced barriers and prejudices throughout Irish history. It was seen as the "English game" and often excluded from schools and official support. However, the resilience and passion of footballers and fans have prevailed, shaping the narrative of Irish football. From early Irish players making their mark on the international stage to the struggles against discrimination and the power of football in promoting inclusivity and anti-racism, the story of Irish football reflects the resilience and diversity of our nation.

The Need for Investment:

Despite the deep-rooted love for football, Ireland's football facilities have lagged behind our European counterparts. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has put forward a comprehensive 15-year plan that requires an investment of €863 million. This funding would support 2,500 projects, focusing on grassroots initiatives (€426 million), the League of Ireland (€390 million), and international teams (€47 million).

With invetsment comes red tape, difficult processes and the need for planning. Companies like TeamFeePay can help provide the guidance and support that our grassroost clubs need. As Liam McStravick says “If you are starting by filling out the grant application form… you are too late!

A conversation with Team Fee Pay CEO Liam McStravick who has the experience, dedication and solutions to help Irish Grassroots Clubs.

In this final episode of our Irish Grassroots Landscape Series we introduce the opportunity that is within the grassroots community to find new income streams to help fund the research, design, improvement and development of these facilities.

Challenges and Opportunities:

- Gender Equality: While there has been a surge of interest from women and girls in football, gender equality issues persist. Adequate support and facilities are crucial to ensuring equal opportunities for female players.

- Facility Ownership: More than half of the clubs in Ireland do not own their facilities, leading to financial uncertainty and exclusion from government funding streams. The provision of secure and accessible facilities is essential for the growth of grassroots football.

- Infrastructure Deficit: Ireland faces a shortage of full-size grass pitches and all-weather facilities to meet the demand. Moreover, inadequate changing facilities, particularly for women and girls, hinder their participation in the sport.

Football is now a cradle to grave activity as these Irish Women Walking Footballers come to Ireland from the UK to represent us as we lag behind the rest of the World in this game.

Political Support and Investment:

It is time for the government to fully back the FAI's report on facility investment and commit to a comprehensive state-backed investment program for football. Increasing the Betting Levy to 3% in Budget 2024 could generate substantial revenue to fund football facilities and support other sports. A specific focus should be placed on addressing gender equality issues by improving access to changing facilities and pitches for women and girls. Additionally, shared community playing facilities should be established in towns with a population greater than 5,000.

Beyond Infrastructure:

Investment in football extends beyond facilities. The government should review the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme grant, recognizing football's potential to support integration, participation for those with disabilities, and gender equality. The development of football academies and partnerships with educational institutes can provide pathways for players to pursue professional careers in Ireland.

Promoting the Game:

The League of Ireland deserves greater recognition and support. Providing clubs with a portion of broadcast revenues and implementing a national promotion program would enhance the league's visibility and popularity. Additionally, exploring the potential for an all-island league and the establishment of a national football museum would further elevate Irish football's profile.

The opportunity for grassroots clubs to turn content into cash and help make this vision a reality.

Conclusion:

Football is Ireland—a sport that has united communities, transcended divisions, and brought joy to thousands. The time has come for politics to fully support and invest in the future of football. By providing comprehensive state-backed funding, addressing gender equality, and improving facilities, we can nurture the growth of grassroots football, elevate the League of Ireland, and create one of the world's best women's and men's leagues. Football is more than a game—it is a tool for social cohesion, inclusion, and national pride. Let us embrace its potential and pave the way for a new era of Irish football.

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Striker Online is aware that club administrators need help and guidance to navigate these new and somewhat complex processes and technologies. By connecting solution providers with the needs of the grassroots community we can all benefit from “collaboration”. What one club learns from other clubs should benefit from too. We are one big family that must “compete on the pitch and collaborate off it”.

We recenlty had a conversation with TeamFeePay about how we could help clubs cross this very important area of club adminstration and management. We hope that this article may begin the conversation and move towards a solution for clubs that can benefit from the strength and size of our communty.

We welcome solution providers that can help our community tackle the new and emerging challenges. Providers who understand the dedication of our community and its volunteers. Companies who know too well the needs of our cash strapped clubs and can create value offerings that can be scaled to grow and be supplied across the grassroots community.

To get involved: alex@strikeronline.ie