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Monaghan Sports Council     Monaghan County Development Board

Soccer Skills programme

Special Needs Soccer Skills Programme

The ‘Soccer Skills’ Programme for people with an intellectual/learning disability began in Monaghan and Cavan with great success in 2008. This programme ran for 10 weeks in conjunction with the help of FAI Development Officers, John Crudden (Monaghan) and Tom Mohan (Cavan) and was concluded with a friendly soccer blitz day between the two Counties. FAI qualified coaches have assisted in delivering coaching sessions to the participants and their assistance was invaluable for the overall success of the programme. our thanks to Ciaran Donnelly, Oliver Martin, Paul Smyth and Dean for the professionalism, dedication and enthusiasm shown.

The programme is attended by people from Monaghan Day Activation Unit, National Learning Network, Steadfast House Carrickmacross and the Monaghan Training workshop. The ‘Soccer Skills’ programme is designed to give people a positive introduction to soccer and physical activity with a view to them becoming more included in activities in their local community. 

The reponse to the programme has been phenomenal with particpants picking up soccer skills and applying their newfound skills to drill situations and mini games.

In 2009, due to the overwhelming success of the programme, a new ten week programme was organised. The 2009 programme will ended on 2nd July at Kingspan / Century Homes Park, Gortakeegan to coincide with the FAI Festival of Football and the lucky participants had theopportunity to meet some former greats of Irish Soccer like Ray Houghton, Packie Bonner (who is the Technical Director in the FAI), Paul Mc Grath along with John Delaney, CEO, FAI.

The 2010 Soccer Skills programme commenced in mid-April at venues in Cavan and Monaghan and ended with a blitz day at Monaghan Uniteds grounds at Kingspan / Century Homes Park in Monaghan town.
All participating groups were reqarded with individual certificates for participants and a kit bag of football coaching gear that they can use to practice their skills until the next programme.