Carlow soccer leagues reiterate stance against FAI's Football Pathways Plan
Carlow & District Football League
Both Carlow soccer leagues, the Carlow and District Football League and the Carlow and District Juvenile League, have issued a joint statement reiterating their stance against FAI's planned proposal to introduce Calendar Year soccer, which would in effect force summer soccer on clubs in Carlow.
In a statement signed by the league's respective secretaries, Brian O'Reilly of the CDFL and John O'Reilly of the CDJL, they say that they have the unanimous of every club in the leagues.
The statement in full reads:
"We the 28 Clubs affiliated to the Carlow and District Football League (CDFL) and the Carlow and District Juvenile League (CDJL), wish to restate our united opposition to the FAI Board’s proposal under the Football Pathways Plan to implement Calendar Year – Summer Soccer, irrespective of the wishes of Clubs and Leagues who wish to remain in the traditional standard FIFA - UEFA School Calendar - Winter Season.
We request that all delegates to the upcoming FAI Assembly on Thursday 5th December vote to maintain the current status, whereby all Clubs/Leagues have the right to determine their playing season.
Our opposition is based on evidence. Both the CDFL and CDJL balloted our Clubs on the FAI Proposal. The result was clear and unanimous. A resounding 100% of Clubs in both Leagues rejected the FAI Calendar Year – Summer Season proposal and wish to remain in the longstanding School Calendar – Winter Season. Our Clubs have given a clear mandate to our Leagues to remain in our current season which suits our Clubs, Players, Volunteers, and Communities.
We note that the Leinster Football Association (LFA) balloted Leagues in the Province on the FAI Proposal, with 85% of Clubs in Leinster voting to reject the proposal and wish to remain in the School Calendar – Winter Season. Leagues in Leinster have over 120,000 registered players. We further note that the result of this ballot was provided to the FAI Football Pathway Planning Committee at a meeting with the LFA Executive Committee on August 15th 2024.
Due to clashes in summer months with other commitments and activities (e.g., Leaving Cert, Junior Cert, 3rd level College Exams, Irish College, Community Games, Family Holidays, Summer Jobs, Gaelic Football, LGFA, Hurling, Camogie, Communions, Confirmations, Weddings, etc.), it is our clubs’ belief that to impose a Calendar Year – Summer Season will have a devastating impact, and result in the loss of teams and volunteers. A drop in participation numbers and coaching hours will impact hugely and negatively on player development, fundraising, facility development and Clubs capacity to meet ongoing financial liabilities.
If adopted, the FAI Board’s proposal will undermine the tremendous commitment shown by countless hard-working volunteers in our communities in developing our clubs. All delegates should vote to retain the right of Clubs/Leagues to choose the season that suits their Clubs, Players, Volunteers, and Communities."
