Former Republic of Ireland International soccer star, Keith Andrews, and current Republic of Ireland Women’s International soccer star, Megan Campbell, were on hand to launch the 2018 edition of the SPAR FAI Primary School 5s Programme with a pop up training session at Keith’s former primary school in Dublin.

The five-a-side school blitzes are open to boys and girls aged 8-12, and put an emphasis on fun and inclusivity. SPAR and the FAI are looking to surpass the 2017 participation figures, which saw 1,495 schools and 28,576 children lace up their boots to take to pitches around the country. Registration for this year’s programme closes on 9 February, and county blitzes will kick off at the end of February. Winning schools progress from county level to regional then provincial finals, with the lucky few making it all the way to the National Finals, which will be held on the hallowed turf of Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on 30 May.

The SPAR FAI Primary School 5s Programme is an initiative organised by the Football Association of Ireland Schools (FAI Schools). SPAR Ireland has supported the competition since 2015 and has seen participation figures grow year on year to become the largest primary school’s competition in the country. The number of schools signing up for the programme has jumped from 1,064 in 2015 to 1,495 last year, benefitting thousands more children in the form of encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle. Particularly pleasing for SPAR has been the increase in the number of girls with 40% of participants now being female.

 Speaking about the programme, Colin Donnelly, SPAR Ireland Sales Director said: “SPAR is very proud to be involved with this programme for the fourth year, which, thanks to sustained growth, now gives almost 29,000 boys and girls nationwide the opportunity to represent their school and county in a national level competition. We are continually inspired by the enthusiasm and passion shown by students and teachers taking part in the programme which is helping to drive it to new levels.”

Participants can register for the SPAR FAI Primary School 5s Programme by 9 February at: www.fai.ie/primary5

About SPAR Ireland

SPAR Ireland was established in 1963 and is operated by leading wholesale and retail company, BWG Foods. With a presence in every county across Ireland, SPAR is one of the country’s largest convenience retail groups. It operates three of the four SPAR formats: SPAR, EUROSPAR and SPAR Express, bringing consumers the most innovative products and instore offerings.