PRIMARY SCHOOLS
The FAI Primary Schools 5-a-Side is the biggest and best competition in the Primary Schools Soccer Calendar. The competition kicks off in March and April with Provincial and National Finals taking place in June. The winners from each county will go forward to their Provincial Finals and then they will battle it out at the National Finals
Dublin Primary Schools Section offers 11-a-side competitions. The season runs from early March to early June. There are now over 100 schools participating in our competitions and the numbers are growing each year. There are cup and league competitions based on school size and geographical area. League competitions are organised to minimise travel, cup competitions are an open draw and are confined to Dublin.
POST PRIMARY SCHOOLS
FAI Schools are responsible for 10 National Cup competitions from first year through to senior boys and girls that provide Provincial and All Ireland winners. There are also in excess of thirty other league competitions held throughout the four branches.
There are long established representative competitions at Interprovincial & International level for both boys and girls.
Primary
‘Buntus Soccer’ is available as a follow on option to schools which have completed the generic Buntus programme. Schools should contact their Local Sports Partnership to see if Buntus Soccer is still available in their area. ‘Buntus Soccer Resource Cards’ are available to download on www.fais.ie
‘Soccer Sisters’ is programme for girls aged 7-12 years. The course consists of eight one hour coaching sessions and costs 30 euro per participant (20 minimum). Each participant receives a Soccer Sisters t-shirt. Schools in disadvantaged areas may qualify for a reduced fee. Details from Paul Cleary paul.clery@fai.ie (086) 0489872 or Emma Martin emma.martin@fai.ie (086) 0489872
‘Futsal’- this FAI programme is aimed at girls and boys in 3rd and 4th class. Futsal is the official UEFA and FIFA version of 5-aside-soccer. It is non contact emphasising the skills of passing, shooting and dribbling. The FAI offer a resource pack and training days for teachers who are interested in introducing the game to their school. They also organise local futsal competitions in October and November.
Post Primary
‘Futsal’ - This is the official UEFA and FIFA version of 5-aside-soccer. It is non contact emphasising the skills of passing, shooting and dribbling. The FAI offer a resource pack and training days for teachers who are interested in introducing the game to their school. The FAI organise futsal competitions for boys and girls in 1st year from October to December progressing from county, provincial, and regional to national finals.
‘Soccer Leaders Award’ – this is an 8 hour course designed for transition year students. It will train students under the guidance of a coach, parent or teacher to introduce young children (aged 6-8 years) to fun soccer games and fundamental movement skills. This course can also provide FETAC credits and costs 325 euro per group of 16 students and 15 euro per student thereafter.
