The FAI general assembly will vote on the implementation of an aligned football calendar tonight, with the association’s president Paul Cooke describing it as “a defining vote in relation to the future of Irish football”.
The alignment of the calendar at underage and adult amateur level is part of the FAI’s Football Pathways Plan, which was unveiled by chief football officer Marc Canham last February.
Currently, the majority of grassroots leagues are played between August and May.
The proposed new structure would see children aged Under-5 to U12 play year-round in four separate blocks: leagues and cups, futsal competitions, summer camps and blitzes.
The U13s to U16s would have a split season, with adult competitions (leagues and cups) being played over the course of a 12-month campaign.
Changes, if they are voted through, would be phased in.
The U5s to U12s’ calendar would start in January 2026, with the U13s to U16s following in January 2027 and the adult amateur game then falling into line by January 2028.
The FAI board are fully behind the aligned calendar, but have opted to put it to a democratic vote rather than force it through. A 51% majority is required to get it over the line.
The grassroots game in Ireland is fragmented. There are 72 leagues across all levels of the game here with 68% of them playing a winter season (August to May) and 32% playing a calendar season.
Ireland is an outlier in Europe as it is the only UEFA country that does not have an aligned football calendar.
The General Assembly has 135 members across three chambers: the Professional Football Chamber, the Amateur and Youth Chamber, and the National Body Chamber.
Delegates will be able to vote in-person, online using the ElectionBuddy platform, by email or text message.
In a letter issued to members of the general assembly last month, Cooke said: “As president, I want to again assure you that the board and I fully support the phased implementation of the aligned football calendar.
“We are in full agreement that we owe it to the future generations of Irish football to offer them a platform that will ensure they realise their potential as players at whatever level they play our game.
“The vote on December 5th is a vote for change. Let’s embrace the change and let’s make change count.”
