The Irish FA have put an emphasis on the enhancement of schools football across Northern Ireland through the new “Let Them Play” strategy and feel that the development of schools infrastructure and the collaboration with Northern Ireland Schools Football Association are essential for football development.
The School Quality Mark is a new initiative provided by the Irish FA that looks to enhance and improve schools football at both primary and post primary level. A part of the Irish FA “Let Them Play” strategy the School Quality Mark provides schools with the guidance to implement structures to build capacity and allow football to flourish. Schools will have the opportunity to enter the accreditation at three different levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold which will depend on the structures already in place.
Some of the key areas that are set out in the accreditation are school governance and management, further games development, duty of care and female participation. School-club links will also form a major part of the School Quality Mark as it is key for pupils to be given a pathway from schools to local club football.
The Irish FA are delighted that precision training has agreed to be the official sponsor of our School Quality Mark and will provide up to £500 of equipment and training aids to schools who achieve the accreditation.
The School Quality Mark will allow 125 schools to achieve the accreditation over a 5 year period. For information on the School Quality Mark accreditation please contact Ross Redman - ross.redman@irishfa.com