Trim man set for key soccer role

TRIM Celtic player Mark Scanlon is to take up a full-time position as the FAI"s first development officer in Meath as part of a new initiative funded by the FAI and Meath Co Council. Scanlon was recently appointed to the position and will be involved in promoting soccer with local clubs, schools, communities and organisations such as NECSL and Meath Local Sports Partnership. He will also be working in promoting the beautiful game in 14 estates in Navan as part of Meath Co Council"s RAPID programme which is designed to enhance social development in those estates. Formerly employed in the financial sector the 23-year-old Trim man is to take up what is the first position of its kind in the county next month as the FAI seek to appoint more development officers throughout the country. Part of Scanlon"s remit will also be to help set up community groups in disadvantaged areas in Navan and other parts of Meath with the aim of getting people involved in the local soccer scene. It is hoped that eventually soccer clubs in the Navan area will benefit from more youngsters from disadvantaged areas getting involved in the game at some level. MDL secretary Gerry Gorman has praised the 'foresight and the initiative' of the FAI and Meath Co Council in funding the position and says it is a major boost for the local game. 'To have someone working in a professional manner working to further the profile and the aims of the league is a major boost,' added Gorman. 'The appointment will also increase the profile of coaching. To have more people coming on stream prepared to be involved in the FAI coaching courses would be a very positive move in the right direction. Because of this initiative there will be much more opportunities for those interested in coaching and willing to get involved in that way.' Scanlon will be involved in drawing up and conducting coaching programmes with courses starting at introductory level one and continuing up through the various levels. A qualified coach up to UEFA B standard, Scanlon has managed underage teams at Trim Celtic and has been involved in coaching players involved with the NECSL squad. Mary Murphy of the Meath Local Sports Partnership says Scanlon"s apppointment is part of a major drive to build communities through football and is a welcome move, particularly in relation to his work with the RAPID programme in the Navan area.