Excitement builds for 2018 SportsDirect FAI Summer Soccer Schools

Early bookings hint at another record-breaking year

The 2018 SportsDirect FAI Summer Soccer Schools were given the perfect kick-off at Aviva Stadium as Republic of Ireland managers Martin O’Neill and Colin Bell jointly launched the popular programme.

It’s easy to see why the senior men’s and women’s managers are endorsing the fun-filled camps as they provide the perfect platform to introduce children to football and help them to develop their skills.

For the last three years, the programme has gone from strength to strength with over 35,000 children involved in 2017. However, this promises to be the biggest year yet with more camps being held around the country than ever before.

The camps, which are priced at €65, with discounts available for siblings and multiple camp bookings, are aimed at children between the ages of 6 to 14. The week-long camps come with a high standard of coaching and care from Garda-vetted FAI qualified coaches and it all starts on July 2.

Leonard Brassel, Managing Director of Sports direct Ireland said: “We are proud to partner again with the FAI Summer Soccer Schools for the 4th year in a row.

“Since the partnership Soccer School numbers have increased by 35%. It has been an amazing journey to see the growth of the Soccer Schools throughout the country and the commitment to grassroots football.

“While participants will learn new skills and tricks, the most important element of our Soccer Schools is that they are fun and that all children enjoy them.

“For us as a business our football category continues to grow offering parents big brands, quality and value across clothing, footwear and accessories. With 35,000 children taking part in Soccer Schools we are hugely proud to be part of that journey”.

Ireland manager Martin O’Neill said: “The work that the FAI have been doing at grassroots level in recent years is simply fantastic. I’ve visited the Sports Direct FAI Summer Soccer Schools camps in each of my four years in charge with Ireland and I always enjoy seeing the impact that they make on communities. It is a credit to Sports Direct, the FAI and the coaches that they make the camps so enjoyable for children while also helping them to develop their skills.”

Ireland WNT manager Colin Bell echoed those sentiments by saying: “It is fantastic to see so much emphasis being put on a programme that helps develop our star players of the future. Ultimately, it’s about children having fun and enjoying the camps. If they do that then hopefully they will stay involved in the game and keep football in their life, which will help keep them fit, active, making new friends and taking on different challenges.”

The good news for this year’s participants is that the SportsDirect FAI Summer Soccer Schools kit, football, backpack and certificate are included with every booking and there is also a 20% discount off all Sports Direct clothing, footwear and accessories in store.

As part of the link-up between Sports Direct and the FAI, there has been an annual donation made to Temple Street Children’s Hospital with over €100,000 handed over this year.