The Football Association of Ireland celebrated the arrival of EA SPORTS as title sponsors of the EA SPORTS National Underage Leagues with a media day at FAI Headquarters this afternoon when Derry City Technical Director Paddy McCourt and Shamrock Rovers Academy Director Shane Robinson joined League of Ireland Academy Development Manager Will Clarke ahead of the new season which begins this weekend.
Long-time supporters of Irish football, EA SPORTS will sponsor all League, Shield and Cup competitions across both male and female academy systems with this innovative new sponsorship.
Welcoming EA SPORTS on board, Will Clarke said: “This is a fantastic development for our National Underage Leagues and we are delighted to get EA Sports on board. It is great for the Leagues to be associated with a brand such as EA SPORTS and we are looking forward to working closely with them over the next few years.
“One of the initial conversations we had with EA SPORTS was around how they can help support and develop the National Underage Leagues as well and support the players within the Leagues. I think it is going to be a really good partnership for the Leagues and they will be a key partner for Irish football going forward as we develop the League structures and ultimately develop better players.”
Derry City Technical Director Paddy McCourt said: “EA SPORTS is a worldwide brand and is also synonymous with sport so to get them on board is a huge coup for the League of Ireland and we are really looking forward to the new season starting this weekend. Just getting the players back and watching them at training and seeing how happy they are is vitally important for their own mental well-being as well as their physical well-being.”
Shamrock Rovers Academy Director Shane Robinson is also delighted to see the new EA SPORTS National Underage Leagues season kick-off this coming weekend when boys and girls will return to play. He said: “It’s brilliant to be back. The first day back training was like Christmas morning with the kids so excited to be back. The main thing they have missed is games so to have the Leagues back this weekend for the boys and girls is brilliant.”
