Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 September 2025
277. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the role his Department had in the dispersion of NFL starters kits (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50949/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe NFL launched an NFL Flag schools initiative earlier this month, attended by Minister O'Donovan, for every post-primary school across the island of Ireland in partnership with Sport Ireland and American Football Ireland.
The initiative saw the delivery of NFL Flag starter kits to more than 900 post-primary schools on the island of Ireland, for students aged 12–16 years. This initiative and the dispersion of starter kits was led by the NFL.
The Department is currently at an advanced stage of finalising a memorandum of understanding with the NFL and Sport Ireland to develop a flag football legacy programme to enable young people to discover and play American Flag Football. The programme will align with the overall aims of the National Sports Policy 2018 – 2027, and the Sport Ireland Strategy 2023 – 2027, to increase levels of participation in sport, with a particular focus on diversity and inclusion.
