The Football Association of Ireland has highlighted the significant and ongoing positive impact of the Dormant Accounts Fund from Sport Ireland on its Football For All (FFA) programme, a leading initiative in Irish sport for promoting inclusivity and participation in football for people with additional needs across the country.

For a number of years, dedicated funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund has been instrumental in enabling the FAI to expand and enhance the FFA programme, ensuring football truly is accessible to everyone within local communities. This sustained support allows the FAI to provide tangible, well-structured resources directly to grassroots clubs committed to fostering inclusive environments.

This vital funding translates into practical support for clubs participating in the programme, particularly those achieving the FAI Club Mark standard, ensuring a benchmark of quality in delivery.

Key initiatives supported by the Dormant Accounts Fund include:

New Club Grants: Providing essential start-up funding for FAI Club Mark accredited clubs initiating new Football For All sections.
Equipment Packs: Supplying all participating FAI Club Mark FFA clubs with necessary equipment to effectively run their weekly sessions.
FFA Blitz Days: Offering financial assistance to clubs hosting FFA Blitz Days, covering event costs and encouraging inter-club activity.

The positive impact of this funding is clearly visible nationwide. Albion Rovers FC and neighbouring club Walshestown FC have established a unique joint initiative, delivering a shared Football For All programme in partnership. This commendable arrangement allows both clubs to pool resources and expertise, creating fantastic opportunities for local young people with additional needs to integrate fully into their community football clubs.

Both Albion Rovers and Walshestown FC were recipients of FFA equipment packs this year, directly funded through the Dormant Accounts Fund allocation, further enabling their successful joint programme. 

Patrick O'Reilly, FAI Football for All Coordinator, said: "We are incredibly proud of our Football For All programme and deeply grateful for the continued, multi-year support from the Dormant Accounts Fund. This funding is crucial for breaking down barriers to participation. The FAI’s dedicated framework for applying this funding, through Club Mark and targeted grants, ensures its impact is maximised across the country, setting a strong example for inclusive sports provision.

"The innovative partnership between Albion Rovers and Walshestown FC exemplifies the spirit of community football and inclusivity that FFA champions. It’s a fantastic model, demonstrating how clubs can work together for the benefit of all players, and we wholeheartedly encourage other clubs to consider similar collaborative approaches.

"The FAI remains committed to utilising Dormant Accounts Funding effectively to ensure the continued growth and success of the Football For All programme, reinforcing the Association’s dedication to modernising the game and making football accessible for everyone in Ireland."