The Coach Diary Football Blog

Tag: FAI

Fingal Festival of Football all set for Saturday 17th August, AUL
Fingal County Council in partnership with the FAI are delighted to launch this year’s Fingal Festival of Football which takes place throughout Saturday 17th August at AUL, Clonshaugh. The FFF, previously known as the Harmony Cup, is now in its 11th year and although the original competition was developed solely as a cross-border football tournament for boys only, it has over the years broadened to a more inclusive Fingal Festival of Football, catering this year for 30+ teams across five sections: boys, girls, Special Olympics, and Irish Street Leagues.

This year will also see the running of the U10 and U12 Girls Soccer Festival which is held to promote the underage girls’ game, and an additional 100 girls are expected to attend on the day, to play a 5-a-side blitz and other fun events with the major emphasis on the fun and enjoyment of taking part.

In speaking about the Girls Soccer Festival, Paul Keogh FAI/Fingal County Council Development officer said “we hope for a great turnout of girls for what is sure to be a great day out. Girls can enter by forming teams, entering club teams or by individual registration. With the success of the Metropolitan girl’s league under the auspice of the NDSL it is an exciting time for girl’s football. Huge credit must go to Fingal County Council for incorporating so many strands of the game into one day”.

Senior Sports Officer of Fingal County Council, Niall McGuirk, commented “The Fingal Festival of football continues to grow and evolve each year. We believe this is a unique day of football with inclusiveness a key aspect. Previous years have shown a fantastic standard of play and we would encourage all who might be interested to come along”.

The essence of the Fingal Festival of Football has not significantly altered from its original inception which is that it is not an ‘elite based’ football tournament but a community event providing a fun environment for young people to come together while enjoying their sport and an opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds, cultures and religious beliefs. This year teams will be travelling from all across Fingal county and the competition will also see teams from Louth, Meath, Northern Ireland & Wicklow.
- For further information on the U10 & U12 Girl’s Soccer Festival contact: Paul Keogh Fingal/FAI Development Officer paul.keogh@fai.ie or 086-044 4435
- For further information on the Fingal Festival of Football Event contact Niall Mc Guirk Senior Sports Development Officer niall.mcguirk@fingalcoco.ie or 087-120 6431
August 8, 2013
FAI Appoint another Dutch man as New high performance director.

It seems like the FAI have finally got someone who might take an interest in the grassroots structure, I suppose the 4v4 game ties into this man’s appointment. Let’s see what changes come August 1st, certainly looks positive.

Following the exit of Wim Koevermans last year, the FAI has announced another Dutchman in the role of High Performance Director. Highly-respected Dutch coach, Ruud Dokter, has been appointed FAI High Performance Director, it was announced on Friday.

Dokter has a vast amount of international experience and, after what the Football Association of Ireland described as an “extensive worldwide recruitment process”, the 57-year-old will take up his position on August 1.

Who is he?

After a playing career with SC Makkinga, GRC Groningen and VV Helpman, Dokter became part-time coach of Groningen’s youth teams before becoming part of the KNVB’s coaching set-up where he has filled a variety of senior positions at men’s under-21, U18, U17, U16 and U15 levels as well as the senior women’s team.

Dokter will oversee the Irish non-senior international men’s programme, the women’s senior and underage international programme, coach education and player development. This will include the Emerging Talent Programme as well as the Academy in Abbotstown where the first phase is currently being developed.

Speaking about his appointment, Dokter said:

“My first priority will be to cultivate relationships with those people who invest so much time in nurturing young Irish talent, provide a good sense of direction and influencing everyone to work together. “Ireland has a fine footballing tradition and I want to build on that, using my experience to optimise the development of the coming generation of elite players.”

John Delaney, FAI chief executive, said: “Ruud will be working closely with all of the affiliates involved in Irish football with an emphasis on coaching and the development of our elite player pathway.”

See also FAI website

By Goal.com

April 7, 2013
Great Opportunity to watch and learn from our youngest talent

Whilst down at the Glaway Cup I bumped into some of Ireland’s best young coaches and I was delighted to find out that this Sunday (August 14th) the FAI’s the 1996 (u16s) International Elite Camp will be opened up to aspiring coaches.

The camp will run from Sunday the 14th to Wednesday 17th August and is completely free to anyone who wishes to attend. Training sessions are open to all coaches but you must REGISTER with the FAI before hand.

You can do this my contacting Niall Harrison by email at niall.harrison@fai.ie

Niall Harrison and the coaching staff will discuss with all observers the aims and objectives of the Elite Camp, you will get a first hand look into how a youth International team trains, works on functions of the game and prepares for competitive matches. You may not get a chance to meet the players, but you will get a chance to speak to the coaches and ask questions about the sessions, drills and anything the squad worked on that day.

Coach John Morling will present an Educational Presentation on logistics/procedures and that is just one of many presentations over the 4 days.

Observing Coaches Timetable

Sunday August 14

11.15am; Introduction to the aims and objectives of the Elite Camp for all observing coaches

11.45am; Player arrival at AUL complex and meet with staff

12.30pm – 1.30pm; Training session 1-Attacking (Defensive & Middle third)

14.00-5pm; Meet with coach for Q/A

6.15-7.15pm; Training Session 2-Attacking (Middle third & Final third)

7.30pm; Meet with coach for Q/A

8.45pm; Educational Presentation 1- John Morling (Logistics/Procedures) @ The Clarion Dublin Airport Hotel

9.30pm; Meet with presenter for Q/A

Monday August 15

10.30am-11.30am; Training Session 3- Defending (Strikers & Midfielders)

11.45am; Meet with coach for Q/A

4.30pm – 5.30pm; Training Session 4-Defending (Midfielders & Defenders)

5.45pm; Meet with coach for Q/A

8pm–845pm; Educational presentation 2- Colin Dunleavy (Diet, Nutrition, etc)

Free time

9pm; Meet with presenter for Q/A

Tuesday August 16

10.30am-11.30am; Training Session 5-Set Pieces/Individual work

11.45am; Meet with coach for Q/A

8pm-8.45pm; Educational Presentation 3-(Guest Speaker Professional Experiences)

Wednesday August 17

11am; Match– Team A v Foreign opposition

1pm; Match–Team B v Foreign opposition

Note: If you would like to attend any of the above sessions you must contact the FAI, the open Training sessions are open to all coaches but must register with Niall Harrison prior to session commencing. You will not be aloud into the venue unless you pre-register with Niall.

For more information contact

Niall Harrison

Football Association of Ireland (FAI)

Emerging Talent Programme National Coordinator

Ireland Under 15 Head Coach

niall.harrison@fai.ie

August 9, 2011