The clubs got the chance to take part in the Festival after they hosted Aviva Soccer Sisters camp at Easter this year and were rewarded with the chance to take part in the Festival and walk out on the hallowed turf of the Aviva Stadium.
Players from Arlington AFC; Baldoyle United FC; Ballymackey FC; Evergreen FC, Killenaule Moyglass Ladies Soccer; Portmarnock AFC; Newport Town AFC and Rush Athletic were joined by several Republic of Ireland Women’s Senior internationals Rianna Jarrett and Aine O’Gorman and underage international Lauryn O’Callaghan along with the FAI’s Head of Women’s Football, Sue Ronan.
The clubs took part in four rotating skills zones on the pitch that tested their passing, dribbling, shooting and attacking and defensive drills. The players also took part in some small sided games and practised putting the ball in the Aviva net.
After this the players had a meet and greet with some of the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team and Sue Ronan where they were presented with medals for taking part.
Sue Ronan, Head of Women’s Football, FAI, said; “The Soccer Sisters programme has undoubtedly helped to increase participation within the schoolgirl’s game nationwide. Over 25,000 girls have come through the programme since it began in 2006. It has proved to be a great way of introducing girls to the game, and many have continued in the game by joining their local club”
Mark Russell, Group Sponsorship Manager, Aviva Insurance, said; “We were delighted to be able to open the doors of the Aviva Stadium to these eight clubs for the Aviva Soccer Sisters Festival of Football. We wanted to help expand the reach of the Soccer Sisters camps across the country to help get more clubs and schools involved in 2017 and we successfully achieved that with an increase of 25% in attendance. This is another example of Aviva’s grassroots programmes where, just as in our sponsorship of the IRFU’s Mini Rugby, we are helping to create the heroes of tomorrow who we hope will be wearing the green jersey in years to come.”
To get more information on the Aviva Soccer Sisters programme and how to get involved log on to www.aviva.ie/soccersisters or follow the story on twitter at #AvivaSoccerSisters.