Martin O’Neill launches 2016 SportsDirect.com FAI Summer Soccer Schools

Football fever is gripping the nation this summer and the Sports Direct.com FAI Summer Soccer Schools are back!

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill was on hand at Aviva Stadium today to launch the 2016 Sports Direct.com FAI Summer Soccer Schools programme. Both O'Neill and Roy Keane were huge supporters of the programme last year and hope to be involved again this year.

The Sports Direct.com FAI Summer Soccer Schools programme is the FAI's largest grassroots programme and one of the most important as it encourages children's involvement in sport, in a fun and friendly environment. Now in its 20th year, the summer camps enjoyed record participation numbers last year with over 26,500 children from all around the country taking part.

Camps are priced at €65, with discounts available for siblings and multiple camp bookings, and are a fantastic way to introduce children aged between 6 and 14 to football. The week-long camps come with a high standard of coaching and care delivered by Garda vetted FAI qualified coaches and begin on July 6 and run right through to August 28 (Monday-Friday 10:30am to 3pm).

Speaking at today's launch, Ireland manager O'Neill said:

"Roy and I visited Temple Street last year and saw the great work fundraising does so I'm personally very proud to be involved again this year. The camps are superbly run by the FAI and offer children a great opportunity to play a sport and make new friends. Perhaps we could have the next Irish superstar to come from these camps."

Leonard Brassel, Managing Director of Heatons and Sports Direct Ireland said:

"Sports Direct are delighted to partner with the FAI and support a grassroots programme as important as the FAI Summer Soccer Schools. Anything that gets kids active and healthy is something we're proud to be associated with.

"We are now in the second year of the sponsorship and it's important to let existing Heatons / Sports World customers know that Sports Direct International has recently acquired the company. All Sports World stories will be rebranded over the next few months into Sports Direct stores. Heatons and Sports Direct Ireland are now an integral part of the Sports Direct International's portfolio. Customers can expect even better value now in Sports Direct Ireland stores due to our buying power internationally.

"We are delighted to also continue the extremely positive relationship that Heatons started last year with Temple Street Children's Hospital as our charity partner. We'll also give away a number of free places to the camps on Facebook. Our customers loved these last year."

All camp participants receive a new fully branded Sports Direct FAI Summer Soccer Schools kit, football and backpack. All attendees will also receive 20% off all Sports Direct and Heatons products in store.

28 April 2016; Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill was on hand at the Aviva Stadium today to launch the 2016 SportsDirect.com FAI Summer Soccer Schools programme. The SportsDirect.com Summer Soccer Schools programme is the FAI’s largest grass roots programme and one of the most important as it encourages children’s involvement in sport, in a fun and friendly environment. Camps begin on July 4th and run right through to August 28th and are priced at €65. Pictured at the launch are, from left to right, Braydon Roche, Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill, Benjamin Lynch and Sadhbh McKane. Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Picture credit: Seb Daly / SPORTSFILE