The Football Association of Ireland will continue its development of women and girls’ football with the recruitment of a Head of Women and Girls’ Football.
With more girls playing football in the Republic of Ireland than ever before, a pathway in place from Grassroots to the Women’s National League and the historic qualification of Ireland Women’s National Team to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, this is a hugely exciting time for the game.
The support of Sky Ireland has boosted our WNT at a key time and helped to elevate the promotion of women’s football to unprecedented heights, while Cadbury have done fantastic work around the Grassroots game for women. There has also been a significant increase in women pursuing UEFA coaching licences, which is having a positive impact at various levels.
This year has seen record numbers of girls take part in introductory level programmes, such as Elverys INTERSPORT FAI Summer Soccer Schools, AVIVA Soccer Sisters and UEFA Disney Playmakers, while participation in schools has also increased through the SPAR Primary 5’s and Futsal in the Yard initiatives.
Reporting to Director of Football Marc Canham, the Head of Women and Girls’ Football will be part of the Football Leadership Team and oversee the continued development of the game to support transformational change in Irish football.
The successful applicant will have a particular focus to grow participation and retention of women and girls at all levels of the game, while also supporting wider football development strategies.
FAI CEO Jonathan Hill said: “Developing the full potential of football for women and girls is a key pillar in the 2022-2025 FAI Strategy and the Head of Women and Girls’ Football will play a pivotal role in implementing this as the Association continues to build on the foundations already in place and identify new opportunities for growth.
“We have truly fantastic role models in our current Ireland Women’s National Team, guided by an excellent manager in Vera Pauw, who are already inspiring women and girls all around the country to get involved in enjoying football at various levels. We must build on their magnificent qualification to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to ensure that women’s and girls’ football does fulfil its full potential.”
FAI Director of Football Marc Canham said: “It is really exciting to add a Head of Women and Girls’ Football to our Football Leadership Team. We are looking for someone who shares our passion for women and girls’ football and will bring a drive to help develop the game further.
“With participation rates at an all-time high at Grassroots level, it is vital that we provide the right kind of support to help girls stay playing the game as well as encouraging more women and girls to get involved for the first time. It is also important to bring more women into our game through varied roles, such as coaching, refereeing, administration and volunteering.”
The application process for this role is now open with the FAI looking to recruit the right candidate to help achieve strategic targets and ensure that the development of women and girls’ football receives the right support, promotion and progression that it needs.
