The FAI Primary Playbook Course is to return for 2026 after a successful roll-out last year saw it land a UEFA education award.

Registration is now open for the course which will take place at 12 educational centres across Ireland from July 1-July 10. Teachers that complete the training can use the training days for EPV (Extra Personal Vacation) recognition.

The course, which educates teachers on how to use the medium of football to engage children in physical activity, is now a key part of the FAI’s Education & Development Strategy 2025-30 that was launched in April 2025.

With almost 100 teachers taking part last year, demand for the course is expected to be high, and schools are encouraged to sign up

 Course locations

• West Cork Education Support Centre | Register Here​​​​​​
   
• Waterford (2 Locatons & South Tipperary) | Register Here
   
• Athlone Education Support Centre | Register Here
   
• Cork Education Support Centre | Register Here
   
• Donegal Education Support Centre | Register Here 
   
• Navan Education Support Centre | Register Here 
   
• Drumcondra | Register Here 
   
• Blackrock Education Support Centre | Register Here
   
• Dundalk Education Support Centre​​​​​​ | Register Here 
   
• Wexford | Register Here 

The programme earned a Bronze-Award at the UEFA Grassroots Awards in April. It was praised for helping to enhance the learning of more than 1,400 pupils over the last two years with just under 100 teachers completing the training programme. 

FAI Head of Education & Development Niall O’Regan said: “The teacher training is a great way for us to bring to life our football in schools programme. 

“Teachers get introduced to using the medium of football in their school settings, not only for physical education, but also for classroom based activities. This allows students to learn through football because of the sport’s global reach across subject curriculums.

“I am very proud to see the growth of the programme from its pilot in 2024 to recently being recognised by UEFA as one of the best educational programmes in Europe. The impact and feedback has been phenomenal from the teachers that have participated and we would encourage them to sign up and enjoy the course in 2026."

The FAI will also partner with FIFA to provide additional learning for teachers who take part in this summer’s training.

Niall explained:  “With it being a World Cup year we are delighted to identify a further follow up support for the teachers that complete the course with us in 2026. The FAI will visit teachers’ respective schools and deliver a FIFA Football in Schools Activity Day, which can only be accessed by a teacher attending the training programme in the summer 2026.”