REAP what you sow...
24th July 2002

Nine young Irish returned footballers today graduated from the first REAP programme at DCU (Dublin City University) sponsored by the FAI and the English PFA (Professional Footballers Association). The nine were presented with their certificates by The Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern, td.

REAP (Reinvention, Education, Appraisal and Preparation) is a six-week live-in programme designed for young players who return from the UK and find themselves ill-equipped for life and careers outside professional soccer. The programme includes a mix of sport science education, career guidance and IT training.

REAP was the brainchild of DCU student, Daragh Sheridan and former Ireland football manager, Eoin Hand. Eoin is also the FAI's career guidance counsellor. Daragh, a student of Sport Science and Health at DCU and former Aston Villa player, experienced the trauma of non-selection in his professional football career. As the joint driving force behind the initiative, both are determined that other young players who leave full-time education at an early age to pursue football careers in England are given every opportunity to reinvent themselves.

With the involvement and guidance of expert in exercise in physiology, Dr Niall Moyna and sports psychologist, Dr Catherine Woods of the Centre for Sport Science and Health at DCU, the course aims to help the young footballers to identify the skills and strengths they acquired as professional players and transfer these to new work environments.

"It's quite a blow to learn your contract is not going to be renewed when all you dreamt about since you were a child was to be a big time footballer. Add to that the pressure of facing all your friends and family who proudly waved you goodbye and the fact that you may not have completed your secondary education and there is quite a temptation to completely reject football and sport at any level." Explained Daragh Sheridan.

"We want to see these young players pursue successful careers in new areas but remain involved in the game at either a playing or coaching level." Said Eoin Hand of the FAI "Already four of the players have signed and the other five are training with Irish clubs. We are particularly pleased that the Garda Siochana are considering supporting some of the players with a view to applying to the force in the future."

During the REAP programme the players undergo a full fitness training and education programme entitled "optimising sports performance". They learn about new career options and are giving support to plan their futures. They also undertake the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) to raise their competency in IT and computer skills and to provide them with an industry recognised qualification.

The footballers are:

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