FAI/ETB Player Development Courses

FAI / ETB Player Development courses

The FAI in partnership with a number of Education and Training Boards throughout the country and supported by the European Social Fund operates Local Training Initiatives that provide a unique blend of educational and football development for talented young footballers. The renowned FAI-ETB Player Development programme enables interested participants to train full time while also availing of a sport themed education programme. The programme enables young players to achieve their potential and in many cases, to develop a career in professional football. It also prepares participants for a career in the sports and leisure industry as well as encouraging them to improve their level of education and reach their potential in this regard, thus enhancing their job prospects and opportunities.

Player development has been a successful feature of the courses with many trainees progressing to the SSE Airtricity League in recent seasons. It is also significant that many league of Ireland clubs have FAI ETB course graduates in their ranks.
Some notable course graduates include Kevin Long, Chris Forrester, Matt Doherty, Andy Boyle and Daryl Horgan. Indeed both Boyle and Horgan, who made their full senior international debuts against Iceland in March 2017, have acknowledged the opportunity provided by the FAI / ETB Player Development courses as significant.

Both Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle are vocal in promoting the benefits of the courses;
"The opportunity to train full time in Milebush Park in Mayo was fantastic. The coaches gave us a great insight into being a full time footballer and both of us never looked back," said Daryl Horgan.
"It was a year to savour and never to be forgotten. It prepared us for professional football and the education was a great back up. We're reaping the rewards now," said Andy Boyle.

The courses are headed up by FAI Coordinators with UEFA A and UEFA Pro License qualifications and who have come from a professional football background. So, young players will have access to top class training in state of the art facilities and sound career advice if becoming a professional footballer is their ambition. Of course not everyone will make the grade to a pro player - but the course will help players to find their level and hopefully continue to enjoy the game.

As part of the academic side of the programme, learners will complete a QQI Level 5 in Sport & Recreation studies plus an ITEC Gym Instructors Diploma, Pool Lifeguard and FAI Coaching Certificates. In the last number of years the CAO points accumulated on this programme has allowed numerous learners to progress to Third Level Institutions in Ireland and the U.K. Course graduates have continued to add to their educational development in a variety of degree courses.

If you’re a young player looking to achieve your potential, you can find out more about FAI / ETB Player Development courses by contacting Michael McCarthy (michael.mccarthy@fai.ie).