New Mayo football initiative Game Changers set to kick off

The Mayo Football League, in partnership with Mayo College of Further Education and Training, is launching an exciting new football development initiative, Game Changers.

The Referee and Coaching Pilot programme will be unveiled at Umbro Park, Milebush, Castlebar, on Wednesday next, September 2, at 7.30 p.m.

'Game Changers' is a new pilot programme designed to provide Mayo College of Further Education & Training students with a structured pathway into football coaching and refereeing while also helping to develop the next generation of coaches and match officials within County Mayo.

The programme is being developed with the involvement and support of the Football Association of Ireland, Mayo Schoolboys/Girls, Mayo Women’s League and Mayo Referees.

Participating students will undertake a programme incorporating FAI coaching and referee education, FAI Connect registration, Garda Vetting, First Aid and Child Safeguarding, before progressing to practical coaching and refereeing experience within Mayo football.

A particularly important element of 'Game Changers' is what happens after the training.

Students will be linked with opportunities to gain real practical experience, with aspiring coaches linked to clubs and newly trained referees provided with opportunities to officiate appropriate fixtures with Mayo School boys/girls League.

The pilot represents an innovative collaboration between further education and grassroots football, while creating new opportunities for young people to become actively involved in the game beyond playing.