Cleere called for exemptions for clubs in February of this year
Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow/Kilkenny, Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere has expressed his delight at this evening’s announcement that the FAI aligned calendar plan will now include exemptions.
Today the FAI confirmed to delegates that they had decided to implement an exemption process by application for leagues with regard to the Aligned Football Calendar, something seen as a huge win for rural clubs.
Deputy Cleere has done extensive work on this topic, engaging with the FAI on this during the recent Dáil term. He had expressed his concern for local clubs across Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Wicklow where 92% of clubs voted against the idea of a Calendar Year Summer Soccer season.
Expressing his delight Cleere said, “I am absolutely delighted to hear this news this evening. It is news that gives a sense of a major win for local clubs across my own constituency of Carlow/Kilkenny, whom can now decide the way they run their own league seasons.
“This will continue to encourage members to continue participating in all sports that they love and enjoy, rather than having to choose on or the other.
Cleere, who has been heavily involved in GAA at inter county level and has seen his daughters take part in soccer and camogie, has said should the summer soccer season been enforced by the FAI, it would have only led to one conclusion in rural Ireland.
“I have seen the benefits that participation in sport can have on peoples physical and mental wellbeing. It is fantastic for members to be able to participate in all sports throughout the calendar year, like GAA and soccer.
He added: “I am especially pleased for all local clubs, as it could have potentially spelled the end to them financially. This simply could not happen, and it would have been detrimental in towns and villages in rural Ireland who don’t have the numbers to facilitate all sports, unlike the bigger counties and cities.
Concluding Cleere thanked all involved in helping this positive outcome come to fruition: “I have worked extremely hard on this in the last number of months. I have held meetings and spoke to so many reps from local clubs about their concerns around the proposed changes,” he said. “I would like to thank the FAI and all relevant stakeholders who have listened to those concerns and have come to this decision today.
“This is certainly seen as a win for grassroots football in rural Ireland, and I am extremely pleased common sense has now prevailed.
ENDS