CORK soccer clubs retained more than 70,000 from last year’s inaugural John Giles Foundation Walk of Dreams.
With the clubs who participated able to retain 50% of all the sponsorship they bring in (Cork clubs raised 140,000) and also able then to apply for a grant (Cork clubs received 6,000 in grants), vice-president of the FAI Tony Fitzgerald has appealed to clubs to take advantage of this scheme and enrol today for the walk which will take place in Cork at three different venues this year on Monday, May 7 at 3pm.
“The John Giles Walk of Dreams is a great way for clubs to raise money,” FAI vice-president Tony Fitzgerald said.
“Cork clubs raised more than 140,000 last year and they kept more than 70,000 for themselves.
“Those who took part in the walk were then able to apply for grants and I appeal to all Cork clubs to participate.
“It’s an easy expense-free way of making money. Everything you need is provided free from the FAI, thanks to the sponsorship of 3.”
No wonder clubs in north Cork and west Cork have decided they should have their own walks, and the FAI have fully endorsed their position and the uptake from clubs in these two regions is very positive.
It is important to note that any club who applies for a grant will have a far better chance of being successful if they have taken part in the Walk of Dreams.
Last year’s Walk saw grants range from 300 up to 30,000 handed out to those clubs who applied.
Countrywide more than 160,000 was distributed to clubs.
In this current financial environment there must be lots of Cork clubs who could do with a grant like that to offset their running costs.
“We all know and accept that each individual club has its own way of raising funds, but if I was involved at management level with any team I would fully endorse this method of making money for my club as it would cost me nothing, get loads of publicity and it brings in the money.”
To register just log on to: www.johngilesfoundation.com.
Some of the teams who have registered and who will be participating are: Avondale United, Ballybridge, Bay Rovers, Blackstone Rovers, Bunratty Utd, Buttevant, Castletown Celtic, Castleview, Clonakilty, Crookstown Utd, Douglas Hall, Drinagh Rangers, Dunmanway Community, Dunmanway Town, Kilmichael Rovers, Evergreen, Fermoy, Greenwood, Innishvilla, Irish Soccer Referees Society, Kilreen Celtic, Kanturk, Kilbehenny, Kilworth Celtic, Los Zarcos, Mallow Utd, Mayfield Utd, Mizen AFC, St Mary’s, Temple Utd, Togher Celtic, Tramore Athletic, Watergrasshill Utd.
As the above entries show the three walks in Cork City, North Cork, and West Cork will be very well supported and with in excess of 2,300 participants already registered the various organising committees are confident that all three Walk of Dreams will be an outstanding success.
The venues for the walks are as follows: Cork City: Assemble in Showgrounds in Ballintemple and the walk will take in Monahan Road and Centre Park Road and finish in the Showgrounds.
North Cork: Mallow, West Cork: Dunmanway.
The three walks will take place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 7 at 3pm.
