Aviva Soccer Sisters program launched

As the countdown to Euro 2012 this summer continues the FAI teamed up with Focus Ireland & Aviva to launch this year’s “Aviva Soccer Sisters program” which aims to get more girls playing football.

The campaign has been one of the driving forces behind the increase in participation of grassroots soccer nationwide for girls since 2006 as numbers playing the game have shot up from 12,500 to 23,085

The program means that girls between the ages of 7-12 years old have the opportunity to play football in a fun environment with others in their own age group and ability.

TV3 Champions League and Xposé presenter Kirsteen O’Sullivan teamed up with Irish International players Dora Gorman & Ciara Grant & Irish Women’s football team manager Sue Ronan in the Aviva Stadium to launch the 2012 Soccer Sisters program.

The ladies were joined by the FAI, Aviva and Focus Ireland as The Soccer Sisters forms part of Aviva’s program with its charity of choice, Focus Ireland. Focus Ireland branding will appear on the free soccer kit each participant receives.

Commenting on behalf of Focus Ireland, Focus Ireland’s Helen Connolly said:

“Focus Ireland is delighted to be featured on this new jersey as Aviva’s charity of choice. Through this initiative Aviva is promoting awareness of our efforts to tackle homelessness in Ireland, and in particular supporting our work with children who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.”

Aviva Ireland is working to champion the battle against child homelessness through its five year partnership with Focus Ireland.   Aviva’s partnership with Focus Ireland is to directly support the charity’s work with over 700 children - and young people under 18 - each year who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in Ireland.

Sue Ronan, Senior Women’s International Manager said:

 “The Soccer Sisters programme has been one of the driving forces behind the successful increase in participation within in the schoolgirl’s game nationwide.  Almost 12,000 girls have come through the programme since the programme began in 2006. It’s proved to be a great way to introduce girls to the game, and many have continued on to remain in the game by joining their local club” 

You can read more about the programme on the FAI website.

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