FAI/FAS soccer course accepting new applicants

FAS/FAI Youth Soccer Training Courses provide a unique blend of educational and football development for talented young footballers in Ireland who are currently unemployed. The programme enables footballers who have left school and are interested in developing a potential career in football or the sports and leisure industry an opportunity to enhance both their football skills and education level.

Trainees that partake in the course will benefit from a marked improvement in their own football progress. A number of students have done particularly well in the recent past with many players progressing to represent Ireland U18, U19 and U21 level. Recent trainees including Enda Stevens, Matt Doherty, Ian McLoughlin and Jay O'Shea have gone on to join premiership clubs while other have played professionally in various league including England, Scotland, Airtricity League and Bus Eireann Women's National League. 

Students are prepared for FETAC Level 5 qualifications in Sport and Recreation studies and if a certain standard of performance is achieved during this phase, students then prepare for the ITEC Gym Instructors Diploma. Trainees who meet the required level of points in FETAC 5 are eligible through CAO to apply to Institutes of Technology countrywide, Carlow IT being a popular one because of the FAI full-time Football and Business degree course. 

The football aspects of the programme are looked after by FAI qualified coaches, all coaches are UEFA 'A' qualified. The two hours coaching a day, which is expert and progressive, is supplemented by a fitness programme that would be equivalent to full time training. Weekly matches including a Cup competition are also part of the programme. The course participants will also take part in Kick Start 1 and 2, and Youth Cert coaching courses, the first three steps on the way to becoming a fully qualified coach.

The Castlebar course takes place at Nemo Rangers Sports Complex, Douglas and application forms are available from the local FAS office. Alternatively contact course co-ordinator Mick Conroy on 086-8030149.