New Scheme Offers Floodlighting Development Funds To Soccer Clubs

Sports - Soccer

Wednesday, 29 September 2010 08:57

Written by Barry McNamara

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan today launched an innovative telecoms partnership between Shared Access, a leading US telecoms infrastructure provider, and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), which will see Shared Access provide funding for floodlights to local clubs in return for the ability to erect telecoms structures. 

The initiative announced today, which could extend to up to 500 local football clubs throughout Ireland, with a minimum investment by Shared Access of €30million, will result in world class shared telecoms resources being located in urban and rural areas around the country.

In a deal facilitated by the FAI, Shared Access will pay for and erect floodlights for local football clubs. These floodlights will house state-of-the-art wireless antennas and where available fibre connections, enabling significantly enhanced broadband penetration and mobile phone coverage in the locality.

To date 400 local clubs have applied for the scheme and it is expected that this figure will reach over 500 by end 2010.

John Delaney, CEO, Football Association of Ireland said: “This represents a step change in facilities for participating local clubs, enabling them to train and play under lights in the dark winter months, providing significant investment for the football clubs at the heart of local communities. We are delighted to be working with Shared Access on this unique scheme.”