Limerick Football Club

www.limerickfc.ie

Limerick FC initiated a match management/stewarding workshop with Limerick Institute of Technology with support in delivering the course from the FAI. The course, which began this week, is being delivered over three days to 75 students at LIT as well as to stewards already working with the Club. It is another example of how Limerick FC has grown in recent years and of its extensive involvement in the community and with institutions like LIT.

Michael O Sullivan and Kieran Judge approached LIT last year to examine if we could assist each other in the areas of Sports Management and Event Management. We found very willing partners in Dermot Maleney and Sara-Jane Kickham in their roles within the Humanities Department at LIT. Their students require a number of volunteer days and Limerick FC can offer many opportunities, from assistance at events, coaching and, as is reflected in this course, match day stewarding.

Joe McGlue, Chief Security Officer with the Football Association of Ireland, was equally responsive when asked for assistance in delivering the course. Joe has vast experience both at home in the Aviva Stadium and in many stadia abroad and has been very generous in imparting this knowledge to the students. Thomond Park is an ideal location for the course and Joe was able to use the extensive facilities to simulate many and varied match day situations that were presented to the students. In addition to the concentrated day course at Thomond Park, the students and our own stewards will travel to Dublin at the end of February to shadow experienced stewards at the Republic of Ireland match v the Czech Republic at the Aviva Stadium.

This is a fine example of the co-operation between sporting bodies and educational institutions in Limerick and enhances the city's reputation as a European City of Sport, whose logo is proudly worn on the shirts of Limerick FC.