Fame! Shels launch new academy - February 13,
2001
Eircom League champions Shelbourne have linked up with a Dublin school to give youngsters a chance at a soccer career while keeping up their education.
Twenty young hopefuls from disadvantaged areas of the city will be coached five days a week with Shels while continuing their studies up to Junior Certificate level at Larkin College. The kids will also attend a homework club at Tolka Park three evenings a week and the new stand at the Richmond Road venue will be kitted out with IT and internet facilities.
Books, transport and sustenance and equipment will all be paid for by Government grants.
Similar schemes have proved successful on the Continent and in Britain, where pupils doing their homework at centres supported by football clubs have made substantial academic progress.
Shelbourne have written to schoolboy clubs and primary schools in Dublin asking coaches and school principals to nominate suitable 12- and 13-year-olds, from whom the initial 20 participants will be selected. The youngsters will continue to play with their schoolboy clubs while participating in the scheme.
"If this programme is successful it will help sport become an essential part of the school curriculum," Shelbourne chairman Gary Browne said at yesterday's official launch, which was attended by Macnhester United fan Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.