Researchers at South East Technological University (SETU) have launched a new evaluation report highlighting the significant wellbeing, inclusion and civic value generated by League of Ireland football clubs through their ‘More Than a Club’ initiative.
The report was launched at the headquarters of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) at the National Sports Campus.
Titled From Pitch to Place – The League of Ireland’s ‘More Than a Club’ Initiative: Impact Report on Wellbeing, Inclusion and Civic Value, the report presents findings from a mixed-methods evaluation conducted by Dr Barry Lambe, Ms Ellen Lavery and Dr Aisling McGrath from SETU’s Department of Sport and Exercise Science. The research examined the impact of the More Than a Club initiative across League of Ireland clubs nationwide.
Benefits beyond the pitch
Drawing on surveys, interviews, case studies and programme participation data, the evaluation demonstrates how football clubs can act as trusted community settings for improving physical and mental health, reducing loneliness, promoting inclusion and strengthening local identity.
The findings show that the More Than a Club initiative delivers meaningful benefits across diverse groups. Children and young people with autism experienced improved confidence, social interaction and access to team sport in inclusive environments. Older adults, particularly men participating in Walking Football, reported improved mobility, stronger mental wellbeing and enhanced social connection. Participants living with long-term health conditions described the programmes as enabling safe and sustained engagement in physical activity, supporting both physical and psychological resilience.
Parents and families highlighted reduced isolation and increased confidence among children, while community members reported growing pride, trust and goodwill towards clubs delivering the initiatives. Overall, the evaluation shows that club-led programmes generate layered benefits for individuals, families, communities and clubs alike.
The launch event was attended by Social Environmental and Sustainability (SES) officers working on the initiative at club level, along with League of Ireland Director Mark Scanlon, League of Ireland SES Manager Derek O’Neill and FAI FSR Manager Des Tomlinson. Representatives from Healthy Ireland, including Biddy O’Neill and Ingrid Doyle, were also present.
Turning research into practice
The report has been written as a public-facing translation of the research findings to support clubs, communities, policymakers and funders. The research will continue as part of a co-funded postgraduate programme by SETU and the FAI/Healthy Ireland partnership, supporting Ms Ellen Lavery, a past graduate of SETU Waterford’s BA (Hons) in Health and Exercise Science.
The work also aligns closely with teaching on SETU’s BSc (Hons) in Public Health and Health Promotion, particularly in relation to community-based health promotion, the settings approach, and the evaluation of population-level interventions.
Partnership and support
The evaluation was co-funded by South East Technological University (SETU) and Healthy Ireland, in partnership with the Football Association of Ireland, reflecting a shared commitment to evidence-informed community health initiatives.
SETU would like to thank all participants, families, club staff, facilitators and volunteers who contributed to this work. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with you over the coming months.
Read more on the League of Ireland website.
