Sporting Greystones FC became the 50th club to earn the FAI Club Mark during the winter but COVID-19 put their celebrations on ice.

Republic of Ireland Women's National Team Manager Vera Pauw was on hand in County Wicklow to finally present the club with their plaque.

The club was founded in 2017 and have 11 teams and an academy with over 130 members. Playing in the Dublin District Schoolboys League, the club are located at Dr. Ryan Park with a clubhouse, shop, grass pitches and an all-weather facility. Despite their youthful existence, Sporting have received fantastic support from the growing community and assistance from FAI Development Officer Richie Fitzgibbon.

Speaking at the presentation, Fitzgibbon noted how quickly Sporting Greystones have grown. "It's been great to see the growth in numbers over the past few years. The club has always been keen to have the right structures and pathways in place which the FAI Club Mark recognises."

"Not only were Sporting Greystones the first club in Wicklow to attain the Club Mark, but they were also the first to introduce the Football for All programme too. It is great to see the welcoming and inclusive environment they have within the community, and it was fantastic to have Vera Pauw and Jan Willem van Ede here" he added.

The Club Mark programme launched in 2018 was designed to help grassroots clubs in governance, management and administration. The aim of the award is to:

• Establish minimum operating criteria for football clubs
• Provide clubs with a road map to good governance, management and administration
• Support clubs on their Journey
• Reward clubs for achieving and maintaining high standards
• Provide recognition to clubs for their commitment and achievements
• Increase club’s capacity to operate effectively and grow football in communities throughout Ireland.

In 2019 the One Star was introduced which is awarded to clubs who demonstrate that they have:

• A high standard of Coach Education
• Good coaching structures
• A player development and coaching pathway
• Achieved the standards set by our Player Development Working Group
• Have an ongoing relationship with a FAI Coaching Mentor
• Have high standards of governance, management, and administration

Club Development Programme Coordinator Barry McGann has seen an uptake in both Club Mark and One Star applications over the past 18 months. "Clubs have been very engaged in the organisation and administration side of the game during the lockdown period. While unable to play, clubs worked on ensuring they were applying best practice around child welfare, finance, administration and this allowed them to stay in touch with their members and volunteers."

"Over 400 clubs up and down the country are working towards either the Club Mark or One Star awards and it is great to see the hard work being recognised. We provide support along the journey and clubs are seeing the benefits for themselves in the form of members, volunteers, coaches, sponsors etc."

Vera Pauw was on hand to present the award which coincided with an INTERSPORT Elverys Summer Soccer School at the club.

For more information on the FAI Club Mark visit https://www.fai.ie/domestic/fai-club-mark.