Shelbourne FC initiatives ensure equality for players

SHELBOURNE Football Club has introduced a number of initiatives to ensure equality and parity of esteem for all its players.

In preparation for the 2019 season, the club has taken steps to demonstrate its commitment to women’s football. These include:

• Tolka Park will become the home ground for their Women's National League (WNL) senior team. The AUL complex was used for home games last season.

• Their WNL team will now be known as ‘Shelbourne FC’, removing the word ‘Ladies’ from the team's name.

• Shelbourne FC’s kit deal with Umbro and front-of-shirt sponsorship deal with Dublin City University will include both their Women's and Men's National League teams.

• Shelbourne FC’s social media channels will represent and promote both the WNL and U17 WNL teams, in addition to their MNL and U19 MNL teams.

• All Shelbourne FC Season Tickets will be valid for WNL matches and all boys and girls that play in their Academy can avail of a free season ticket. 

Commenting on the initiatives, Shelbourne FC CEO, David O'Connor, said: "We have appointed Dave Bell as manager of our Women's National League team. Dave has previously managed Ireland's team at the WU17 European Championships in 2017 and is well-respected within football circles. We're confident that Dave is the right person to realise the full potential of our WNL squad, which includes a number of Senior, U19 and U17 internationals. Dave will be assisted by Pat Behan.”

 Mr O’Connor added: "We're also delighted that our U17 WNL side will continue to be managed by the successful management duo of Laura Heffernan and Karen O'Connell. Having won the inaugural U17 National League, Laura and Karen will be looking to repeat that success in 2019. 

“Shelbourne FC supports the 20×20.ie campaign, an initiative aimed at increasing the coverage of women's sport by 2020, and our WNL team will wear a ‘20×20’ arm patch in support of this initiative for the coming season.”