The Football Association of Ireland and Donegal County Council today signed the heads of agreement document for the appointment of a Football in the Community Development Officer in the county.
Donegal Co Council Chairman Enda Bonner and FAI Technical Director Packie Bonner signed the document on behalf of both bodies at a special ceremony in Lifford which was attended by councillors and officials from Donegal County Council, representatives of the Football Association of Ireland and members of the local football community
“The use of soccer as a tool to tackle social issues has already been successfully demonstrated in other local authority areas and I am confident that this community development officer is going to make a positive impact in Donegal over the next three years,” said Councillor Bonner.
Since the first three Football in the Community Development Officers were appointed in November 2005, the Football Association of Ireland has rolled out the programme across the country in partnership with local authorities. At present there are 21 officers in ten local authority areas already in place with two more appointments imminent. Agreement has been formally reached with four other local authorities and several other agreements are close to fruition.
“The partnership with local authorities has been the key to the success of this programme,” said FAI Technical Director Packie Bonner.
“We have had fabulous support from the County Managers, Councillors and Council staff and there have been some amazing success stories from the programmes we have run. Soccer is a sport that is easy to play and it also appeals to people in disadvantaged areas. The development officers have full access to the 19 programmes run by the Technical Department as well as all the back up they require,” added Mr Bonner.
Ends:
For further information contact:
Caroline McCleary, Donegal Co Council. Tel: 087-6692068
Gerry McDermott, FAI Communications Manager. Tel: 087-2363644.