Football for All
Founded in 1880, the Irish Football Association (IFA) is the fourth oldest football governing body in the world. The IFA plays an important role in the development of association football through the work of the International Football Association Board, the world rule making body of football, of which the IFA is a constituent member.
Since 1998 the IFA has worked in partnership with the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council, Sports Council Northern Ireland and Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs to tackle the problems of sectarianism in football, with assistance from the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation.
Michael Boyd is the Head of the Community Relations department and has been employed with the IFA since February 2000. Michael is a Sports Studies graduate from the University of Ulster, Jordanstown and has an MSc in Communications, Public Relations and Advertising, also from the University of Ulster. He is a keen amateur league player for Sirocco Works and acquired his European A Licence coaching badge in 2000.
Colleen Macauley is the Community Relations Officer. A graduate of Queen's University and the University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Colleen has a BA (Hons) in Information Management and an MSc in Management, specialising in marketing. Colleen was previously employed with Ballymoney Community Safety Partnership and Newtownabbey's Local Strategy Partnership. Colleen has a broad experience of working with interagency partnerships, local youth groups, sports clubs and community groups in the development of cross community football initiatives, fundraising, community relations work, action plan and strategy development.
Football For All Ethos
The IFA's Community Relations Policy statement is:
"The IFA respects and values diversity. We endeavour to provide an environment which values and enables the full involvement of all people, in all aspects and at every level of Northern Ireland football, regardless of perceived cultural identity, political affiliation or religious beliefs. We believe in the philosophy of Football For All".
The IFA has always endeavoured to promote Football For All and condemns all things sectarian. We pride ourselves with the fact that all Northern Ireland International Football teams have always represented our community fairly. Our Mini-Soccer, Football Development Centres, County Coaching Programmes, Women's Football and Disability Development Programmes have always been cross community, promoting Football For All. The appointment of the IFA's first Community Relations Officer in 1998 was another forward step in a long process, which will ultimately result in the provision of football in an environment where everyone feels safe and included.
Aims
The IFA's development plan 2003 states that the vision for football is: "By 2007 Football will be the most popular and inclusive sport in Northern Ireland, in which all are encouraged to participate and realize their full potential, led by a dynamic and outward looking governing body with successful International teams".
The IFA's Community Relations Programme is a long term project concerned with promoting Football For All. The main objective of the IFA's Football For All campaign is to make sure is that the sport of football is welcoming and inclusive to all members of our society in Northern Ireland.
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