ETB / FAI Full-time Football Courses

Local Training Initiatives

The FAI in partnership with a number of Education and Training Boards throughout the country and supported by the European Social Fund are operating Local Training Initiatives that provide a unique blend of educational and football development for talented young footballers.
The renowned programme enables participants who are interested in developing a potential career in football or the sports and leisure industry an opportunity to enhance both their football development as well as their level of education enhancing their job opportunities.
Former trainees that have participated in the course have benefitted greatly with over 100 players from all eight courses countrywide appearing in their respective first teams at the start of the 2015 season.

A number of students have done particularly well in the recent past with many players progressing to represent Ireland at U18, U19 and U21 level. Recent trainees including Enda Stevens, Kevin Long, Matt Doherty, Ian McLoughlin, Jay O’Shea and Dylan Connolly have gone on to join English clubs while other trainees have taken up football scholarships in the U.S.
An attractive feature of the programme is the emphasis placed on the educational development of the trainees. The education programme co-ordinates and delivers this aspect of the programme which consists of theory and practical sessions in the areas of health, fitness, business and computers.

Students are prepared for a FETAC Level 5 qualification (Leaving Cert equivalent) in Sport, Recreation & Exercise studies and if a certain standard of performance is achieved during this phase students then prepare for the internationally renowned and recognised, ITEC Gym Instructors Diploma.
Trainees who meet the required level of points in FETAC 5 are eligible through CAO to apply to the Institutes of Technology countrywide. A number of trainees have, over the years gone on to attend the Football and Business degree course at Carlow IT.

The qualifications attained on the programme allow students to secure full or part time employment in fitness and leisure industries, personal training or work as fitness consultants and coaches to teams. The football aspects of the programme are looked after by FAI qualified coaches, all coaches are a minimum of UEFA ‘A’ qualified.

There are a maximum of two hours of football activities per day, which is expert and progressive and the player development programme is supplemented by a fitness programme that would be equivalent to full time training.

The course participants will also take part in Kick Start 1 & 2 coaching courses, the first steps on the way to becoming a qualified coach.
Registrations for the 2015/16 courses can be made by contacting course co-ordinators. Further information on the individual programme is available on the FAI website. Registrations will open in June from an Intreo office (formerly FAS and Social Protection centre)