FAI CLUB MARK AWARD PRESENTED TO CHARLEVILLE AFC 

Charleville AFC were delighted to recently find out we would receive the FAI club mark entry level award, this was the first step on the FAI club mark ladder and we now look forward to progressing to the next level as a club. Jason O’Connor, FAI Regional Development Officer for County Limerick and FAI Club Development Programme Co-ordinator, Barry McGann recently visited our grounds at Tim Fitzgerald Park to present the FAI Club Mark Entry Level award in recognition of the club’s implementation of best practice in management and administration.

A lot of work went into achieving this award and great credit must go to our club mark officer Roy Finucane who spent countless hours over an 18 month period preparing and submitting the required documentation. We are very grateful for the support we received from Jason, Barry, Colin Clerkin and David Lenane of the FAI. We would not have achieved this standard without your assistance. A big thank you also to our coaches and committee members for reaching the required standards during a difficult covid lockdown. The FAI Club Mark is an award based on best practice in the governance, management and administration of a football club.

A lot of work went into achieving this award and great credit must go to our club mark officer Roy Finucane who spent countless hours over an 18 month period preparing and submitting the required documentation. We are very grateful for the support we received from Jason, Barry, Colin Clerkin and David Lenane of the FAI. We would not have achieved this standard without your assistance. A big thank you also to our coaches and committee members for reaching the required standards during a difficult covid lockdown. The FAI Club Mark is an award based on best practice in the governance, management and administration of a football club.

Charleville AFC chairman Kevin Buckley recently announced with the club committee the time is now right to continue on the Club Mark pathway by applying for the one star award. “We will look to progress to the next level of this process, the one star award. This is the highest level award currently available for grassroots clubs and will help us to continue to focus on best practice in the governance, management and administration of our football club. Each step challenges the club to implement policies and procedures in line with best practice including garda vetting, child welfare and safeguarding. During the one star application we will also focus on the coaching pathway to improve coaching standards throughout the club and in turn create a better experience for our members on the pitch during training and matches. If we are successful in our application we will become an official FAI Player Development Centre. I’d like to thank Jason, Barry, Colin and David in the FAI for their support, I’d especially like to thank Roy for his dedication to the process, our volunteers for their cooperation and understanding and also the club committee for their collective vision for the long term future of Charleville AFC. We have always been an ambitious club and that will continue both on and off the pitch. We have set a standard for the club and it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure this is maintained into the future for all our members”.

Looking to the future for Charleville AFC
At the presentation Charleville AFC clubmark officer Roy Finucane commented “It is great that Charleville AFC have been awarded the FAI Club Mark, a lot of work has gone into achieving this award over the last year both by the Committee and our committed group of volunteers & coaches, I’d especially like to thank our club chairman Kevin for his support and backing during this process.

Administration, governance & safeguarding are so important for Clubs and it is great now that Charleville AFC have been recognised as a leader by promoting best practice in these areas, which our members, volunteers, parents & our wider community can take great pride in.

The challenge and the aim now is to maintain this culture of excellence, the Club intends now to achieve the FAI One Star Award, when applications open in September and become an FAI Development Centre.”

Charleville AFC has started their journey at Entry Level, and will now progress on to the One Star Award application to become an official FAI Player Development Centre, in line with the FAI’s Player Development Plan. Each step challenges the club to implement policies and procedures in line with best practice. 

The FAI Club Mark aims to:

Improve the management of clubs ‘off the field’

Establish and promote best practice

Empower and support clubs

Recognise and reward clubs for achieving high standards

Increase a club’s capacity to operate effectively and grow football in communities throughout Ireland.

Pictured at the club mark presentation L-R Charleville AFC treasurer Pat O’Hara, Charleville AFC club mark officer Roy Finucane, FAI Regional Development Officer for County Limerick Jason O’Connor and FAI Club Development Programme Co-ordinator Barry McGann.