Killeshin FC become first Laois soccer club to win FAI Club Mark award

Killeshin FC have become the first Laois club to be presented with the FAI Club Mark award.

The FAI Club Mark is an award based on best practice in the governance, management and administration of a football club.

Clubs start their journey at Entry Level, and can progress on to become a 1 star club.

Each step challenges the club to implement policies and procedures in line with best practice.

Founded in 1983 as a Juvenile club and affiliated to the then Carlow and District Schoolboys League, Killeshin went on to join the Carlow & District Football League in its inaugural season in 1986 with the club’s firsts Juniors Men’s team.

The club has grown exponentially since then to currently field 18 teams, catering for over 320 registered male and female players from Nursery level to over-35s.

The club’s first success on the pitch at Juvenile level came in 1993 with the then U14 Schoolboys team having success in the league.

Since then, there have been numerous teams to have success at underage level in league and cup competitions with most recent success coming in the past two to three seasons at U14 and U16 levels.

During the formative years of the CDFL, the Junior men’s A Team quickly established itself in the Premier Division, winning the CDFL Shield three times and twice Premier League runners-up.

The junior men’s B team had many division titles through the 1990’s and early noughties and were twice beaten finalists in the Carlow Cup.

During the mid-noughties, the men’s teams went into a period of decline and dropped down through the divisions in the Carlow League.

However, this was all turned around and the club in successive seasons were guided back to the Premier Division by claiming two division titles in Carlow and went on to re-establish the club in the Premier Division of the CDFL.

The number of players at this level has exploded over the past few years and the club this season has three men’s teams competing in the CDFL. This is also true of the Juvenile setup, where the club has seen a sharp rise in those wishing to play the game at Killeshin FC.

For many years, the club relied upon the goodwill of local landowners who provided Killeshin FC with pitches. In 2008, the club took the big step of purchasing and developing its own club grounds, situated on 5-acre plot adjacent to the newly built Killeshin National School, and which is known locally as ‘The Quakers’.

The 15-person Executive Committee recognized that a double track approach to developing top quality playing surfaces and facilities, coupled with a drive to improve the level of Coach education were key aspects of developing the club and its players.

To this end the club embarked on an ambitious quadruple phased Club Development Plan.

Phase 1 saw the construction of 2 regulation size sand carpet pitches and training area. Completed for opening new Club Grounds in 2014.

Phase 2 involved the construction of Dormer Clubhouse, 3,200sq ft ground floor development to include 4 dressing-rooms, Showers & toilets, Club Café, office, Referee’s dressing-room etc. Completed 2021.

Phase 3  saw the construction of FIFA Quality 3G floodlit regulation pitch to include perimeter and pitch boundary fencing and community walkway. Completed 2020.

While Phase 4 saw he Club has recently purchased an additional plot of land adjoining the pitches to extend and realign the current sand-based grass pitches and training areas to include to regulation size sand-based grass pitches.

In conjunction with the development of club infrastructure, the Club committee has prioritised the development of internal club administration and management processes in line with best practice guidance given by the Football Association of Ireland and as detailed the Club Management Guidelines.

The foresight of the Club to develop such facilities will help secure the club for future generations in the community and provide an ideal platform for aspiring players and coaches to develop their skills within the game.

A spokesperson for the club said: “Proud day for our club – just become the first club in Laois to be awarded the FAI Club Mark.

“Special thanks to our Club Coaching Coordinator Ollie Brennan and FAI RDO Gary Coady.

“The FAI award the Club Mark to clubs who meet the highest standard in club management, governance and Child welfare.

“Thanks to all our volunteers for their time and commitment to make this happen.”

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source https://www.laoistoday.ie/2021/03/20/killeshin-fc-become-first-laois-soccer-club-to-win-fai-club-mark-award/