Setting the benchmark from the South East
A focus on Wexford Football Club and the FAI Football Pathways Plan
Following the launch of the Football Association of Ireland’s (FAI) ambitious Football Pathways Plan (FPP), the association’s Director of Football, Marc Canham, envisages a bright future for the sport in the Country with dreams turned into reality by 2036.
There is confidence that adherence to this courageous objective will eventually enable League of Ireland clubs to compete alongside the most credible of household names. In harnessing a 12-year strategy, three key factors will remain at its core - Participation, Pathways, and Performance - with an overall aim to build a brighter future in the game for everyone.
It is an expansion on the €863 million facilities upgrade project announced last year - one targetting everything from grassroots to the centrepiece in HQ. While the initial plan originated in England, the former Colchester United player (Canham) is now committed to turning the famous sporting island into a stronghold for the next generation of superstars across the men's and women’s game.
Front and centre at the head of this exciting new venture is the South East institution of Wexford Football Club. The organisation has embraced the endless possibilities associated with the plan and officially launched a first-of-its-kind collaboration with the Presentation Secondary School in the heart of the county.
It will see an affiliation with the Transition Year programme for girls, working alongside Wexford County Council with the support of the FAI. Set to launch in August of this year, there is an aim to harness a player's abilities by channelling the connection between academic attainment, individual skills and development - while embracing a holistic school-based experience that positions itself alongside the pathways plan.
Additionally, Wexford FC have committed to delivering a similar course in Ferrycarrig Park for boys, with the support of several boys schools across the region. News of this historic connection has sparked much excitement and support throughout the surrounding areas, with club CEO Tony Doyle understandably thrilled with the response of several collaborating partners. Speaking at the launch, Mr Doyle recognised the potential this offers for the future of the domestic game in Ireland.
“As CEO of Wexford FC, I’m proud to partner with Presentation Secondary School, Wexford and the FAI to launch the Transition Year Football programme for girls in the region, as well as announcing our privately run boys course. This collaboration symbolises our dedication to community engagement and youth development. By integrating academia with football, we aim to empower students with valuable skills, both on and off the pitch. I’d like to thank the FAI, Wexford County Council and the other supporting bodies for their work in getting to this point. Together, we can shape a brighter future for our students and our community.”
With a proud tradition of amalgamating academia and sporting activities into an established school curriculum, Presentation Wexford was eager to embrace the possibilities of aligning with the League of Ireland outfit. It is clear that as an island, we need to rethink our approach towards the grassroots level at the earliest stage. That remains a critical stance of the Deputy Principal and course link, Scott Gaynor, who was keen to share his thoughts on the agreement.
“We’re thrilled to announce our collaboration with Wexford FC & the FAI to introduce a Transition Year Football programme. This initiative embodies our school’s holistic commitment to nurturing academic excellence, participation in sport and well-being. As part of the new FAI Pathways Plan, we’re excited to provide our students with a balanced opportunity to thrive both on the field and in the classroom, fostering a culture of growth, resilience, and teamwork. It’s an exciting time to be involved in girl’s and women’s football in this Country. As the first home of education in Wexford Town, we’re proud to be the home of this first-of-its-kind collaboration.”
The overall aim of this unique plan is to enable students to engage with the Presentation’s existing TY Programme with allocated player development contact time. Additionally, they will obtain valuable work experience in the football industry and related fields - including nutrition, menstruation in sports, injury prevention and rehabilitation, football finance, journalism, and much more.
As Marc Canham stated in his initial address, we all need to think bigger to achieve a standard that allows Irish football to excel. It is 34 years since the marvel of Jackie's army at Italia 90, but this is a sporting island with untold potential for growth. In harnessing the raw attributes of the youth, we are ensuring a passage toward an abundance of options throughout the entire sector by 2036.
Efforts to maximise football in Ireland now appear to have a stable foundation - one that understands the tremendous popularity of the sport, given the inclusivity in the Country and the thousands of athletes who depart for greener pastures on an annual basis. Following months of analysis, the results of a meticulous consultation process have confirmed a widespread desire to improve our game across all levels.
With an acceptance of this collective vision, Irish football offers a clear pathway for every child. From the first moment they kick a ball, in attempting to replicate their idols, participation and understanding will allow a valued contribution from the grassroots to the senior level. You can register your interest in enrolling in Wexford FC's course for the 2024/2025 year by completing this form. Additionally, you can digest the full FAI Pathways Plan here.