League and College combine to launch new programme

A new partnership between the Mayo Football League and Mayo College of Further Education and Training that is set to create exciting new opportunities for students to become involved in football through refereeing and coaching was launched last Wednesday evening in Umbro Park, Milebush.

The Mayo Football League and Mayo College of Further Education and Training’s pilot programme ‘Game Changers’ has been developed to provide Sports, Recreation and Exercise Science QQI level 5 and 6 PLC students of the Castlebar Campus with a structured pathway to gain recognised football qualifications and practical experience within the game, in addition to their overall QQI qualification.

The initiative is designed to address the ongoing need in Mayo to recruit and develop new referees and coaches while providing students with valuable skills in leadership, communication, decision-making and teamwork.

The Mayo Football League is leading the initiative, working in partnership with Mayo College of Further Education and Training, the FAI, Mayo Schoolboys/girls League, Mayo Women’s League and Mayo Referees on a course that upon completion, will link students with opportunities to gain practical experience within Mayo football. The Mayo Schoolboys/girls league and affiliated clubs will support the development of coaches and provide refereeing opportunities for students to gain experience within underage football, while the FAI Referee department will support the development of refereeing including guidance for students wishing to progress through the referee pathway.

Through this collaborative approach, the programme aims to provide students with a clear pathway from education and qualification to practical involvement in football, while supporting the development of the next generation of coaches and referees throughout Mayo.

The programme will be delivered over a number of months, with students progressing through a structured series of education, safeguarding, registration, coaching and refereeing activities.

The programme will include the FAI First Aid online course; the Child Safeguarding 1 online course, a two-day FAI coaching course and a two-day FAI referee beginner course.

Speaking about the initiative, Marian Robinson of the Mayo Football League said: “By providing education, qualifications, mentoring and opportunities to gain practical experience, we hope this programme will help develop the next generation of referees and coaches in Mayo.

“This initiative demonstrates what can be achieved when football organisations work together. The involvement of the Mayo Schoolboys/girls League, Mayo Women’s League and Mayo Referees will be particularly important in providing students with opportunities to gain real practical experience and develop their confidence within the game.” 

Mayo College of Further Education said it is committed to working with local sporting organisations to provide students with opportunities that complement their education and support their personal and professional development.

The pilot programme is scheduled to commence on the week of September 14 and any interested candidates can email michaelmoyles@msletb.ie.

The programme is expected to be fully completed by December 2026.