Set up in partnership with FIFA & UEFA, the Programme aims to provide female administrators with the tools, techniques and skills necessary for them to undertake senior positions efficiently and with greater confidence within Clubs, Leagues, Regional and National Committee level.
The Programme - which supports the FAI’s Governance Review Recommendations to improve gender balance - aims to attract women currently involved in football administration with at least one year's experience in football. Run over a nine-month period, the Programme will bring participants together for three face-to-face seminars - the first of which will take place on the weekend of November 30th, 2019.
FAI General Manager Noel Mooney believes this Programme acts as a huge step forward in embracing the governance recommendations that will have a positive impact on the game as a whole with more women getting involved in decision-making at the highest levels.
"We are building the conditions to produce far more female leaders in Irish football in the coming years," said Mooney.
"This central programme, followed by regional courses, will start to identify and provide the support for a generation of future female leaders in the game. This will be of huge benefit to Irish football.
"Combined with the FAI’s Youth Council, which we will soon launch, this Women in Football - Emerging Leaders Programme will contribute to the evolving governance of Irish football providing new voices and perspectives to enable football to flourish."
FAI Head of Women's Football Sue Ronan echoed those sentiments by stating: "Female participation in football is rapidly growing the world over, with more women now involved in the game at all levels. In Ireland, we have seen a huge growth in participation numbers as a direct result of our grassroots programmes and also from the 20x20 campaign.
"We have also further educated female coaches through a UEFA B Licence Course which was specifically aimed at women – a second such course will begin in the coming months.
"Having female football administrators is just as important, with research showing that gender balance at committee level has huge benefits to every organisation. With that in mind I’m delighted we can assist our administrators through this Women in Football - Emerging Leaders Programme, which is designed to give them the tools necessary to progress up the administration ladder."
The Programme will cover various topics, such as Managing Self / Others, Managing Change, Decision Making, Influencing, Conflict, Communication. There will be special guest speakers, webinars, and detailed workshops.
If interested in applying for the Programme, click here
The deadline for applications is Friday, October 25th. For further information, contact women@fai.ie