Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team international Áine O’Gorman launched Aviva Soccer Sisters for 2023. The grassroots football programme for girls aged 7-14 aims to increase the number of girls playing football countrywide.

The 2023 programme will be ran through a new format to focus on the development of all members at Grassroots clubs.

Running since 2010, the Aviva Soccer Sisters is a Grassroots football development programme for girls aged 7-14 who get to enjoy football in a free, fun, friendly and safe environment.

The objective of this year’s programme is to retain girls in football through developing the skills and awareness raising of both coaches and parents.

To support this, there will be tailored coaching modules to help increase coaches’ awareness of specific topics in relation to the girl’s game e.g., menstrual cycle, providing a parents awareness workshop with the necessary support and information, resulting in a better environment for our players.

Aviva Soccer Sisters Easter Programme blitzes will be on the 15th of April, at selected venues around the country. The teams who participate in the blitzes will be in with a chance to play at the Aviva Stadium on April 22nd.

New Format
• Development Officers will team up each night to deliver content to clubs
• Present (3) sessions focused on girls' development (Coaching Young Female Players Workshop, Parent Awareness Workshop, Practical Demonstration)
• Hosted at different league and club venues each night throughout the country
• A Regional Blitz for clubs that participated in weekly sessions
• Finals in the Aviva Stadium, with teams qualifying via an open draw

Pearl Slattery, Programme Coordinator Women's Football at FAI, said: “Aviva Soccer Sisters is one of the driving factors behind the increase in the number of girls participating in Grassroots football in recent years, and we are thrilled to have the support from Aviva Ireland to continue with the success again this year. This year is a historic year for women’s football with the Ireland Women’s National Team heading to the World Cup this Summer. They really are the perfect role models for our younger players, and they show that anything is possible when you put your mind to it.”

Aviva Soccer Sisters ambassador Áine O’Gorman said: “I am delighted to be a part of the launch again this year for Aviva Soccer Sisters. This programme is invaluable at inspiring the next generation of female footballers in Ireland. I believe you should always dream big, I dreamt big and achieved playing for Ireland, so anything is possible. Soccer Sisters proves that for underage girls in Ireland.”

For more information visit www.aviva.ie/soccersisters