PARTICIPATION
Targeting affiliated and non affiliated schools, the goal is to increase participation by providing opportunities for boys and girls to participate in football at an appropriate level.
Particular reference is made to the continued rollout of the Buntus Soccer Programme, introduction of a soccer skills programme and targeting increased participation at primary school level and among girls.
Many schools throughout the country have asked for more events that they can participate in, particularly non competitive events where more students can play. Futsal blitzes within schools or groups of schools are an ideal type of participation event.
COMPETITION
The goal is provide well structured and well organised age appropriate competitions for schools, paying particular attention to opportunities at a local level.
This will be achieved by improving competition scheduling and increasing the number and variety of competitions. The importance of identifying elite players and providing international football opportunities for boys and girls are also important.
The FAI is currently undertaking a review of all competitions. This review will be completed in 2008 and FAI Schools will undertake to implement any recommendations from the competition review within the annual actions of the Schools Plan.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Working with different target groups, the aim is to improve knowledge and standards of football coaching by providing a pathway and resources for development of coaching skills. Specifically, training and education will be provided for teachers, student teachers and transition year students in areas such as Coach Education, Referee Education and Futsal.
The Schools Plan will provide opportunities for all teachers involved within schools football to gain easier access to football coaching education. Courses will be provided at a subsidised rate by the FAI.
MANAGEMENT STRUCTURES & ADMINISTRATION
As the FAI Schools programme develops, information and resources will need to be provided as a support for branches, sections and participant schools. The plan is to enable effective dissemination and receipt of information between all parties, including development of a unified national database.
Promotion and coverage of football in schools will be improved by using existing communication channels and new methods such as an enhanced website. Development of improved management structures and administration will be underpinned by appropriate deployment of increased resources.
LINKS
Successful implementation of the Schools Strategy will depend on developing and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders such as schools, clubs and teachers’ representative organisations.
The aim is to undertake activities that are mutually beneficial, for example, good practice guidelines for links between schools and clubs, expansion of opportunities for sponsors and the development of a defined player pathway for post primary students.
The consultation phase of the Schools Plan showed a need to improve the links with other agencies. These links should provide a fundamental part of the Schools Plan.
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DID YOU KNOW: A key part of the work undertaken by FAI Schools is the administration and promotion of National and Provincial Competitions in Primary and Post Primary Schools.
FACT: This work is undoubtly bearing fruit as a 2005 ERSI Survey on Children's Participation in Sport in both Primary and Secondary Schools showed that football was the most commonly participated sport within the school sporting context. With 72% of children participating at Primary level while 74% participated at Secondary level.
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