COMMENT: Time to bring soccer indoors?

ONCE again, it’s a great time to be a soccer fan in Ireland. 

Jonathan Walters’ crucial goals in the Aviva last week will see the Green Army decamping to France en masse for Euro 2016.

The victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina provided a great morale boost for the country given the effects of the recession on the mood of the nation. It will also do much to encourage young people to get involved in the sport, helping to combat childhood obesity and promote good mental health.

The Government and the FAI should use this opportunity to further invest in soccer facilities in Ireland. 

As a father of two young lads heavily involved in schoolboy soccer, I share their frustration when training sessions or games are called off due to inclement weather during the winter months.

We can’t blame the FAI or the clubs for the fact that Ireland has one of the wettest climates in Europe. However, with a little bit of progressive thinking, the Government could look at providing grants for the provision of community based indoor soccer facilities, with proper astro pitches and training areas.

This wouldn’t necessarily require expensive new buildings, with all the resultant planning permission headaches. Vacant industrial units could be effectively converted into state-of-the-art soccer facilities at a fraction of the cost. Just look at the popularity of businesses like Dublin Indoor Soccer, which is located in a former Kellogg’s warehouse.

It’s all well and good having a world-class stadium like the Aviva. But if we’re genuinely serious about the future of soccer in Ireland, it has to start with the kids.