Galway’s Salthill Devon FC is one of 10 clubs involved in an initiative to promote women’s grassroots football.
Entitled The Game is On, this initiative by Cadbury's will help promote clubs on a local level with the creation of uniquely designed posters.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright and former Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team captain, Emma Byrne have been enlisted to help out, while an additional poster has also been created for the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team in advance of the Ireland v Finland game featuring Courtney Brosnan, Niamh Fahey and Megan Connolly.
The initiative aims to develop more interest in women's clubs, whether it is more members, more supporters watching matches, or volunteers which are all essential elements to ensure the women’s game continues to develop.
Each of the 11 posters developed have been created in conjunction with some of Ireland’s best female illustrators and designers. This includes Galway-born illustrator, Sorcha O’Higgins who created a poster for Ballaghaderreen FC in Co Roscommon. Along with Cadbury showcasing the clubs on dedicated advertising space such as billboards and digital screens, Cadbury is also donating the posters to clubs to use in a variety of ways, including their social media channels, digital newsletters and physical posters.
Tory Johnstone, Salthill Devon FC's treasurer and coach of the adult women's team says the support is welcome to continue the growth and awareness of the game from a grassroots level.
Galway-born illustrator, Sorcha O’Higgins, says the collage is intended to evoke the spirit of football, and to "celebrate the vibrancy of the amazing female players who are carving out a new history within it.”
The launch of the ‘The Game is On’ comes with the evolution of Cadbury’s in-store promotion ‘Become a Supporter and a Half’ which is live in stores nationwide. There are a range money-can’t buy prizes available for grassroots women’s teams including; a coaching masterclass with the Republic of Ireland women’s national team senior coaching team, attending a women’s national team training session followed by a meet and greet, a special tour of the FAI HQ followed by private training session with FAI coaches, and a meet and greet with the captain and cadbury ambassador Katie McCabe.
To help Cadbury donate a range of money-can’t-buy prizes to grassroots clubs, consumers can go in-store and purchase a Cadbury product to show their support. For more information seehttps://womensfootball.cadbury.ie.
