FOOTBALL FOR ALL- CARRIGALINE UTD AFC: CASE HISTORY
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Background - Carrigaline • Carrigaline is located 12 Kms south of Cork City. The population of the town is approx. 15,000. • Carrigaline United AFC soccer club is based in the local Carrigaline community. The club was established in 1972. The club currently has in excess of 1,000 playing members and over 100 Coaches. • The club is represented at all age levels and has soccer teams competing in the Cork AUL, Munster Senior League, Cork Ladies League and the Cork Schoolboy/Schoolgirls League. 2
Carrigaline United FFA • Established in Summer 2011 (Closed season). • Club Chairman & Academy chairman extremely supportive from the start. • Approx 10+ kids attending at the start. • 2 coaches (1 Academy coach and 1 parent) . • Most kids are on the ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) spectrum.
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End of Summer Season Review • A decision was made to incorporate FFA training into the mainstream academy on Saturday mornings. Recommendation from club chairman and academy chairman. • Critical decision on our journey (inclusiveness). • Great support on pitch space and training equipment from the club. 4
Season 1 (2011/2012) • Training on Saturday mornings at 10:15. • FFA kids pay a small fee (€3) and are registered as club members (€20). This covers insurance costs. • Players also advised to have correct gear, (boots, shin pads etc). • Emphasis at training is on fun and participation 5
Season 1 • FAI attend training and give further support and advice on the FFA program. • FFA meeting arranged by Club Chairman & Academy chairman. Core message from club is- it is up to the parents, need to take ownership and manage FFA. • A rep from CUAFC FFA was invited to the club committee meetings. • A number of parents commit to formally supporting the training (now up to 4 coaches). • Closed Facebook Page set up. • Posters promoting FFA put up in local shops, etc. 6
Season 1 (FFA Blitz) • Attend first FFA Blitz in Midleton – great fun.
• Important to note regarding blitzes, especially in the early days for any team, try to avoid big defeats, it does nothing for their confidence etc. 7
Season 1 (FFA Blitz) • Hosted our first FFA Blitz: All weather pitch was made available to FFA by the club. • Excellent parent involvement – Getting pitches/dressing rooms ready; – Refereeing matches; – Refreshments after matches. – Photographer
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Season 2 (2012/2013) – FFA National Blitz in Tallaght Stadium • Carrigaline FFA team travel by bus to the National Blitz in Dublin, between players, parents and siblings etc over 30 members make the trip. Club Chairman travelled also.
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Season 2 (2012/2013) • First Parents vs Kids “Christmas Cup” held. • Club hosts second blitz of the season – great success. • Attend FAI FFA Blitz in Mallow – All players enjoy and receive an Ireland kit. • Academy chairman promotes the FFA program on local radio.
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Season 3 (2013/2014) • Coaches supported by local Transition year students. • SNA also volunteered to help out (younger kids). • Allows more 1-1 coaching. • Team got their first sponsored kit (with “FFA” under the club crest)
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Season 3 (2013/2014) • Children played in a number of Blitz throughout the year. • Played at a Cork City FC, Airtricity League Halftime game in Turners Cross. • Away jersey sponsored by local business.
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Season 3 (2013/2014) • Club asked if the FFA team would lead the academy team in the annual St. Patricks Day parade. Very proud day for all involved.
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Season 4 (2014/2015) Start of Season meeting. • During the summer a meeting was arranged for coaches and parents at the clubhouse to discuss the season ahead (also attended by club chairman). • Actions taken were: – Player recruitment; – Sponsorship/fundraising; – Recruit new coaches (to support new members). – Assign FFA “committee” (i.e. PRO, Treasurer, etc) – Agree the need for regular meetings. 14
Season 4 (2014/2015) Player Recruitment • Since the start of CUAFC FFA we have lost players for many reasons. Still kept a core group of 10 – 15 players throughout. • Approached Douglas Village SC to hold awareness/recruitment day in August. • Used the following for FFA awareness: – leaflets and posters; – Newspapers/Magazines; – Facebook: support group pages. 15
Season 4 (2014/2015) Player Recruitment • The day was supported by: - Douglas Village SC; - Cork City FC; - FAI.
- Carrigaline United AFC; - Parents and Coaches.
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Season 4 (2014/2015) Player Recruitment • Some examples of Local Media used to promote: Cork Examiner
Cork City FC Match Programme Evening Echo
Carrigdhoun
Also supported by Cork News, Cork Independent, Douglas Post, Real and Primary Times.
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Season 4 (2014/2015) Player Recruitment • Local Print company designed and printed posters, free of charge, for us. • These were given out to local schools & support services and put up in local shops, doctors/dentist waiting rooms.
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Season 4 (2014/2015) Sponsorship • Great support from local companies when asked if they would be interested in sponsoring a kit, training equipment of footballs for FFA. • Christmas Raffle also well supported by local companies.
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Season 4 (2014/2015) Engagement • Regular Newsletters for Parents; • Closed Facebook page updating parents on upcoming events. • Currently 8 coaches, 7 which are parents (incl 2 first aiders and one SNA);
• Regular meeting for coaches and parents; • Parents are invited to come to pitch side to encourage their children and participate. 20
Season 4 (2014/2015) • Training restarts in September with approx. 35 children participating each week. Training is now split into 3 different groups. • Played at half time @ Cork City’s last home game of the season (Packed Turners Cross). • Parents lose out to Children at Christmas Cup (again). • Hugely successful Carrigaline United FFA Blitz held with over 100 kids attending. Massive support again from parents.
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Summary – Club Support • Carrigaline United AFC have been hugely supportive of us and we have grown and have been able to give back to the club as a result. • Coach provided by the club at the start – valuable for drills at training sessions. • Pitch space made available for training and blitz. • Club Chairman and Academy Chairman recommend that FFA be part of the Academy and join training on Saturday mornings with the other academy teams. • Club organised information meetings for parents – encouraged parent involvement. • FFA coach invited to club committee meetings. • Pitch availability for Saturday Blitz (very busy day at the club). • Training equipment and kit provided by the club until we got our own. • Club identity for our players through registration (also covers insurance). • At all times FFA is included with the rest of the academy but we also have our own identity, raise funds ourselves and take an active part in the club, we recently presented the club with a set of goals that we fund raised for.
Summary – Parent Driven • Football for All needs to be driven by the parents with support and backing of the club. • Parents are the reason Carrigaline United FFA continues to grow year on year. We have a committed group of parents who all share the same goal for the children – “ to provide a safe and fun environment for the children to play football for their local club”. • Parents don’t necessary need to be on the coaching team to support FFA. -
Contacting potential sponsors. Arranging refreshments post FFA Blitz. Arranging logistics around Blitz (invites to other clubs, dressing rooms, pitch bookings, etc). Writing articles promoting FFA and submitting to local press. Arranging and Planning fundraising and recruitment events. Updating other parents on FFA activities using Facebook and newsletters. Managing the FFA financials. Identifying and purchasing required training equipment and kits. Photography of Blitz and special events. Even dressing up as FFA mascots for events.
Carrigaline United Football for All Journey Carrigaline United FFA started in Summer 2011 Great support from club Initially started as a team for children with Autism
FFA formally becomes part of the club academy (training with other academy teams on Sat morning). 4 coaches
Closed Facebook page
2011/ 2012
St Patrick Day Parade.
FAI Blitz in Tallaght Stadium
2012/ 2013
FAI Blitz in Abbotstown Support from TY students and SNA.
2013/ 2014
First Christmas Cup
2011
Played at half time @ Cork Citys game
Played in first blitz
FFA Recruitment Drive . Played at Turners Cross
Munster FAI Blitz in Mallow
Local company sponsored FFA set of jerseys
Newsletters /leaflets
2014/2015 Christmas Fundraising raffle
35 Children 3 teams 6 coaches Children with ASD, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome.
2 coaches
CUAFC FFA: DRIVEN BY PARENTS – SUPPORTED BY THE CLUB
Thank You -
Any questions, please contact Killan Conlon or Brian O’Shea at Carrigaline United Football for All.