The Football Association of Ireland, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Healthy Ireland, is delighted to announce that €500k of total funding has been awarded to 22 Club Mark clubs to assist in upgrading and improving existing Walking Tracks.

The Healthy Ireland Walking Track Initiative is the second phase of the Initiative, which aims to increase physical activity and accessibility by supporting the upgrading of current walking tracks connected to Club Mark clubs.

Fifteen different counties will benefit from this Initiative with all 22 clubs having earned either 1 Star or 2 Star status in the FAI Club Mark programme, which is a three-tiered accreditation award based on best practice in the areas of governance, management and administration. 

FAI CEO David Courell said: “This funding will help improve our club grounds, providing safer and more inclusive facilities that will benefit communities across Ireland. It directly supports our Facility Investment Vision and Strategy by ensuring our clubs remain focal points for health and wellbeing. I want to thank Minister Colm Burke, the wider teams at Healthy Ireland, and the Department of Health for their continued support and guidance. As we roll out our upcoming Football Social Responsibility Strategy, these types of projects will be central to our commitment to improving community engagement and supporting physical activity nationwide."

FAI Head of Grant Funding & Infrastructure Development Walter Holleran said: "This funding has provided our Club Mark 1 and 2 Star clubs with a fantastic opportunity to engage and improve their existing walking tracks, ensuring that football is a central part of each community and allowing our clubs to support wider physical activity. These initiatives and funding opportunities are central in supporting the Facility Investment Vision and Strategy."

Click Here to learn more about the benefits and process of becoming an FAI Club Mark club.

CLUBS BENEFITTING FROM WALKING TRACK INITIATIVE