FAI Annual Review 2014

Chief Executive Officer’sOperational Review of 2014ContinuedThanks to insurance companyIPB’s support, the Late NiteLeague Programme (run inconjunction with Gardaí, localauthorities and Departmentof Children and Youth Affairs)has now expanded far beyondthe Greater Dublin area into abroad national reach.Some highlights during 2014/15 include:• National Expansion of ‘Late NiteLeagues’Thanks to insurance company IPB’ssupport, the Late Nite LeagueProgramme (run in conjunction withGardaí, local authorities and Departmentof Children and Youth Affairs) has nowexpanded far beyond the GreaterDublin area into a broad national reach.The programme aims to divert youthsaway from drink, drugs and anti-socialbehaviour during prime target hours,generally on Friday and Saturday nights.The programme also facilitates acommunication channel for Gardaí toengage with youths, often a difficult toreach target group. Numerous Gardatestimonials cite this engagement asbeing a real help in improved communitypolicing.For Q1 2015 a total of 55 centresnationally delivered this diversionaryscheme, affecting 2,900 youths. Thelargest expansion area has been Corkcity where there were eight centresin Q1. The highlight of this successwas Roy Keane’s attendance at Cork’sarea finals in March. His interest in theProgramme and his presence on thisnight really made it a great event.• Youth Mentoring Scheme – SouthEast Inner City DublinUtilising football as a progressive tool todivert unemployed youths into clubvolunteerism.Local Development Officer JonathanTormey identified 20 talentedunemployed players graduating fromyouth football into the junior game.To give this group direction, Jonathansourced local funding to have lads attendKick Start Coach Education Courses andlinked them to local schoolboy clubs.This initiative has succeeded ingrowing the number of local grassrootscoaches, and enabled local youths tomake positive contributions to theircommunity. Additionally, these youngpeople are now positive role-models intheir area.• Driving Forward Programme -Unemployed Numeracy / LiteracyDifficulties LeitrimThe Driving Forward Programme isfunded by the International Fund forIreland and led by Leitrim CountyCouncil. The programme receivedsupport from various agencies includingthe FAI, GAA, Department of SocialWelfare, Leitrim Enterprise Office, theEducation Training Board and An GardaSíochána.The Programme targets unemployed18–25 year olds from Co. Leitrim thathave left school early or have literacy/numeracy difficulties. The programmeis designed to help participants gainpractical qualifications and build theirCVs, allowing them to become coacheswithin their own communities.22FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND ANNUAL REVIEW AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2014