OUR STRATEGIC
PROCESS
WHO WE TALKED TO...
PLAYERS
FANS
COACHES
ADMINISTRATORS
STAFF
MEDIA
PARENTS
REFEREES
VOLUNTEERS
GENERAL PUBLIC
WHAT WE DID...
9
Regional Town Halls
44
Meetings, consultations and in-depth interviews conducted
535+
Members of the football community engaged
40
Written submissions received from the football community
5,709
Respondents to our research survey across multiple stakeholder cohorts
1000’s
Of data points analysed from our research
WHAT WE SET OUT TO DO...
Identify and address the challenges Irish football is facing
Ensure our priorities are mandated from Irish football, for Irish football
Analyse societal and domestic trends impacting the football community
Evaluate the potential and appetite for new technologies to grow the game
WHAT YOU SAID...
GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL
92% of volunteers feel the FAI’s most important role is to manage and grow grassroots football within local communities.
6 in 10 coaches, parents, players and volunteers identified enhancing the relationship and links with schools and colleges as an area the FAI should prioritise.
“Football should be accessible for everyone, no matter what their circumstances are. More than any other sport, football has the ability to bring people together and better communities.”
THE ROLE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
86% of all stakeholders want digital technologies delivered which improve the organisation and administration of the grassroots game as a clear and immediate priority.
HARNESSING THE DESIRE FOR LIFE-LONG PARTICIPATION
7 in 10 administrators, coaches and volunteers cite growing the game within their community and love for the game as their primary motivators for participating in football.
77% of players already volunteer or want to in the future to continue to participate in the game.
75% of referees actively participate as a way to stay involved in football.
WOMEN AND GIRLS
6 in 10 of all groups surveyed recognise the FAI as an organisation that invests in and promotes Women and Girls football.
“Every club in the country should endeavour to have a girls’ team as a priority. The FAI and support for Women and Girls football across Irish football can act as part of the solution to a variety of societal issues.”
COLLABORATION AND ENGAGEMENT
Increased connectedness and alignment between grassroots and League of Ireland clubs is heavily favoured by coaches, volunteers and parents who believe strengthened links are critical to growing Irish football.
“Football has some amazing young players and role models from across the country - Chiedozie Ogbene, Katie McCabe, Gavin Bazunu, Amber Barrett and more – who appeal to a new Ireland and a new generation of fans and players.”
FACILITIES
6 in 10 players, volunteers, parents and coaches emphasised the importance of development of infrastructure and facilities across all levels of the game in collaboration with Government and local authorities.
Over 5 in 10 coaches, players, referees and volunteers have identified improving the quality of pitches as the top thing the FAI could do to make football more enjoyable for players.
BUILDING ON SUSTAINABILITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Over 6 in 10 of all stakeholders recognise the positive promotion of safety, diversity and inclusivity by the Association and Irish football stakeholders.