FAI banking on National Irish Bank

After signing a three-year deal, National Irish Bank announced it has become a title sponsor and the official banking partner to the FAI.

Besides being the Official Business Bank to the FAI and to the Irish National Club, it will also be Sponsorship of the Schoolboy FAI National Cups and title sponsorship of the Summer Soccer Camps.

An important aspect of the sponsorship package is the inclusion of the children's football training programme to be called "The National Irish Bank FAI Summer Soccer Schools." The schools are attended by over 15,000 children between the ages of 7-15 years at 200 FAI locations nationwide. The schools, which are held annually in June and July, are managed and delivered by registered and trained FAI coaches.

This programme was previously known as the Pepsi FAI Summer Soccer Schools.

"Research has shown that soccer in Ireland is the number one sport among 25-34 year olds, and is the favourite sport of all Irish males," said Andrew Healy, Chief Executive of the National Irish Bank.

"The Summer Soccer Schools, under the leadership of Packie Bonner, have been very successful in recent years and their continued success is a key element to ensuring the development of soccer in Ireland."

"The partnership agreement with National Irish Bank is a really positive one and particularly helps our grass roots game through the sponsorship of the summer soccer schools," said John Delaney, Chief Executive of the FAI. "We are delighted to work for the first time with a financial services partner and we are keen to explore and develop a wide-ranging relationship with the bank.

The investment required to sustain and develop the game both at local and national levels is very significant and working with our new partners, National Irish Bank, will bring an added dimension to our business and football planning." The arrangement will run until the end of 2009.

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.