FIFA grant boost for FAI

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) have announced they have received a grant from FIFA for the development of the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown.
 

The World’s governing body have accepted the application from the FAI for the $500,000 grant which will be used to develop two full-sized pitches and dressing rooms adjacent to the FAI headquarters. It was also revealed that the government will contribute €500,000 to the project which will commence in March 2013.

The development will complement work which started in September this year by the National Sports Campus Authority on refurbishing a new headquarters for the IRFU, GAA and the IHA among others, joining the FAI and the Irish Institute of Sport who are already based on campus.

The FAI says the funding will provide training facilities for elite players and underage international squads and commenting on the announcement, FAI CEO John Delaney said: “FIFA’s grant means a lot to the association as it assists the FAI in achieving one of our strategic objectives in developing a National Sports Academy.

“By working together in partnership with the Government, the FAI will be able to realise an important piece of infrastructure that will be of great assistance in developing our young elite players, coaches and referees of the future.”