Agenda and minutes

            Apologies were reported on behalf of the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor McReynolds), Alderman McCoubrey and Councillors Bunting, Corr, Donnelly, McLaughlin and Verner.

            No declarations of interest were reported.

Pursuant to the Committee’s decision of 10th September, to receive from representatives of the Irish Football Association details of its proposals for the restructuring of Intermediate football in Northern Ireland.  

The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 10th September, it had agreed, in light of concerns which had been expressed by Members, to invite representatives from the Irish Football Association (IFA) to attend a future meeting to discuss its proposals for the restructuring of Intermediate football in Northern Ireland and associated changes to pitch criteria.

It was reported that Mr. S. Murphy, Chief Operating Officer, and Mr. L. Sillery, Club Licensing Manager, were in attendance on behalf of the IFA and they were welcomed by the Chairperson.

Mr. Murphy informed the Committee that the IFA’s five-year strategy for 2017-2022 included a proposal for the restructuring of Intermediate football, with a view to providing a clear pathway for a club to progress from junior to intermediate to senior football and ensuring that the level at which it was competing was appropriate to its ability and ground facilities.   

Mr. Sillery reviewed the format of the current Intermediate structure, which consisted of a Premier Intermediate League and four regional leagues, two of which extended to more than one division. Under the new structure, which had been approved by the Board of the IFA, a National Intermediate League, consisting of either twelve or fourteen teams, and four regional single leagues, each comprising fourteen teams, would be established. 

He then drew the Members’ attention to the following changes to intermediate ground criteria and pointed out the last significant changes had come into effect in 2008/09:

•        Spectator Viewing - it must be possible for spectators to view a match from at least the full length of two sides of the playing area, excluding any sterile area where spectator access may be prohibited;

•        Spectator Accommodation - the football ground must have as a minimum permanent covered accommodation (covered seating/covered terracing/ covered hard standing) for 50 persons;

•        Changing Room Accommodation - the distance to the field of play from exiting the dressing room building must be no more than 55m. There must be separate changing rooms for both teams, each with a minimum surface area for changing of 15 m², each equipped with usable team/ coaching staff seating and clothes hanging facilities;

•        Access to Pitch for Players and Officials - a permanent barrier with a minimum height of 1.2 m must be in place to safeguard the access from the changing room building to the field of play for players and officials. For the avoidance of doubt, temporary arrangements put in place on match days, such as crowd control barriers, will not satisfy this requirement;

•        Pitch Size - the pitch must be a minimum of 90m in length with a minimum width of 55m.

•        Artificial Pitches- any artificial grass pitch must comply at all times with FIFA quality standards or a comparable testing standard that certifies the pitch for football, in terms of playing performance, safety, durability and quality assurance. A valid, current field test certificate (pass) must be on file with the Irish  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.