On the back of another very successful year of FAI SportsWorld Soccer Sisters Camps, 10 clubs were chosen to attend the event in the Aviva Stadium. Each of those clubs had the chance to bring 10 lucky young girls for a once in a lifetime opportunity of playing fun games in the Aviva Stadium.
As the FAI continues to increase the awareness of women’s and schoolgirls football in Ireland, it was an opportune time to link one of the largest grassroots programmes for girls to the launch of the FIFA Live Your Goals campaign.
Emma Martin, National Coordinator Women’s Football, highlighted the importance of the campaign: "The FIFA Live Your Goals campaign is key for us as we work to raising the awareness of female participation. To be able to bring 100 young girls here today, to play in the Aviva Stadium is something they’ll be talking about forever more. Some of these young girls have never played football before this year, however through getting involved in our Soccer Sisters camps programme, they were given the opportunity of a lifetime.
"Not only did they get to play here, but they got to meet some of our roles models in the women’s game. Rianna Jarrett, Wexford Youths & senior women’s national team player; Maz Sweeney, former women’s national team player & current Under 19 women’s coach; and Sue Ronan, Head Coach of Women’s National Team and Head of women’s football in FAI."
Jarrett, who is currently an ambassador for the Soccer Sisters & Live Your Goals programme said: ‘I only got to play here in the Aviva for the first time last November in the Senior Women’s Cup Final. I’ve no doubt that these girls will leave the Aviva dreaming of one day being back here again."
There are a number of Live Your Goals festivals planned over the summer months.
- May 24th – Westport, Co Mayo, linking with local schools
- May 29th – Portlaoise, Co Laois
- July 2016 – West Cork*
- July 28th – Tipperary (FAI AGM Festival of Football)
- September – Donegal*
- September 30th – Waterford
*exact date to be confirmed shortly
The Live Your Goals festivals are an opportunity to promote the game locally, particularly in areas where there’s a need for development of the game. The FAI create links with the campaign and their grassroots programmes to ensure there is sustainability and opportunities for girls to stay involved.
For any further information please email women@fai.ie