Athletic Union League On 29 November 2013, the Athletic Union League (AUL) Sports Complex in Clonshaugh, Dublin, showcased their new facilities a new lounge, a re-laid artificial pitch and new floodlights. The AUL had been fundraising and applying for grants through the FAI and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and had secured some investment. With 180 teams and 5000 players at AUL every week, the Shared Access floodlights have been a welcome addition Tony Martin, Chairman They had not secured enough however to complete all 3 developments. Shared Access acquired the annual rental income they ordinarily received from a mobile network operator to plug this large gap in funding. Instead of a cash sum however, it became apparent it was facilities they required and Shared Access used the cash and their expertise to design, build and install top quality floodlights. Match under new floodlights at Athletic Union League Complex, Clonshaugh, Dublin
Welsh Premier Women s League Showing its continuing commitment to investment in sport Shared Access have recently agreed to sponsor the newly created Welsh Premier Women s League. This is a huge boost for women s football says Gwyn Derfel, the League Secretary, In Shared Access we have found a sponsor that really understands and recognizes the WPWL s potential, and can get behind things financially in the league s infancy. Their investment will be instrumental in the future development of the game here in Wales Gwyn Derfel, League Secretary The investment was made following discussions with the FAW about other ways Shared Access could continue to increase its investment into sport in Wales. Shared Access CEO Chris Jackman commented, We are delighted to continue our investment in Wales and hope the Welsh Premier Women s League continues to go from strength to strength. Shared Access have recently agreed to sponsor the newly created Welsh Premier Women s League
Hanley Town FC Hanley Town Treasurer Wendy Jones tells her club s story: Hanley Town FC is a voluntary run, non-profit making club that thrives on competitive and community football. Our dream and vision for many years was to play football under floodlights and Shared Access has let us achieve that goal. We simply would not have been able to progress the way we have, without our partnership with Shared Access it was first call to final deal in 10 days flat Wendy Jones, Treasurer We filled in an application form, and a matter of weeks later, we d been 100% funded and celebrating our first floodlit game. I cannot be more emphatic about what partnering with Shared Access has done for Hanley Town FC. Thanks to the floodlights we were able to gain entry to Division 1 of the North West Counties league, as well as access match funding schemes from the English FA, which helped us make improvements we wouldn t have been able to qualify for without the Shared Access Investment. Get in touch with me and I ll be happy to tell you more about this fantastic scheme. The new floodlights mean the club can be used all year round.
Aisling Annacotty FC In April 2010, Aisling Annacotty FC became the first club in Ireland to benefit from the Shared Access / FAI Funding for Floodlights deal, with Three Ireland becoming the first operator to locate at the club. We will be able to extend training during the winter months and bring our players up to an increased level of fitness and skills Michael Brennan, Chairman Michael Brennan, Chairman of Aisling Annacotty explains what the investment from Shared Access has meant for his club: This is a fantastic move for Aisling Annacotty FC. We would never have been able to do this without funding from Shared Access. Like every other club, there are simply too many other demands on our resources. We would highly recommend the Shared Access Scheme to other clubs. It will help raise the standard of the game of soccer throughout Ireland. Aisling Annacotty were able to direct more funding to the installation of their astro pitch given the lights were funded by Shared Access. The club is now renting out the pitch in the evening, generating a new source of income. Michael Brennan, Chairman, Aisling Annacotty FC; John Delaney, Chief Executive, FAI; Chris Jackman, Chief Executive, Shared Access; with Aisling Annacotty club members Harry Doyle, age 8 and Aoife Neville, age 7.
OPW/Garda (Police) Working from a contract to design, build, licence and maintain the estate of the Office of Public Works in Ireland signed in 2005, Shared Access has been investing, maintaining and controlling the access to 260 Garda Police Stations and OPW buildings, which includes the Police telecommunications network. Shared Access programme managed and built the nationwide network, representing an infrastructure investment of approximately 32m, with the TETRA police network being installed on 248 Garda locations. The 260 locations have 558 Mobile Network Operators licenses on the sites. Mobile Operators licensed on the sites include H3G (Three), Meteor, O2 Telefonica and Vodafone. The Tetra Ireland Emergency Services and Public Safety Network also operate from 162 of the sites. Dublin s Four Courts, an OPW managed site, has rooftop telecommunications equipment managed by Shared Access. Garda Stations countrywide have telecoms towers onsite and Shared Access manage the access, maintenance and insurance of same.
The Shared Access Women s Challenge Cup Shared Access continued investment in sport has been demonstrated through the creation and sponsorship of the The Shared Access Women s Challenge Cup in association with County Antrim FA. Coupled with a celebration of County Antrim FA reaching its milestone 125th birthday, Shared Access were able to help facilitate a star studied event to mark the occasion. This continuing investment is vital to the future of sport in Northern Ireland Gerry Armstrong, Former Northen Ireland International Guests at the launch of the festivities included Michel Platini and Gerry Armstrong, who commented on Shared Access continued investment in sport in Northern Ireland: Shared Access continue to work with the Irish FA to invest hundreds of thousands in all areas of football from grassroots competitions like this to larger clubs like Crusaders FC, Glentoran FC and Bangor Football Club. Co. Antrim FA celebrate 125 years!
Doncaster Rovers FC Even though they are larger than most grassroots sports clubs, Doncaster Rovers were still eligible and able to benefit from a set of floodlights from Shared Access. Initially signing up in order to light a training pitch, once their full circumstances became clear Shared Access were able to invest in an innovative way to supply a set of floodlights, along with a 10 year maintenance package to help cut the future running costs of the club. The agreement was clear, concise and perfectly reflected our initial discussions Lee Ferraby, Finance Director Lee Ferraby, Finance Director: From our first meeting through to completion, Shared Access made the whole process simple and kept us fully informed along the way. Doncaster is a great example of a club securing its revenue streams through a process that is more secure. By using their floodlights to rent out the pitch, the club have obtained a more secure income stream than they would have received from a mobile operator mast, especially given all the risks inherent in every contract with the mobile operators no matter how long the term length may suggest. The installation at Doncaster.
Johnville FC Treasurer and Development Officer, Maria Hunt tells her club s story: We were looking in the paper one day and I saw a piece about Shared Access and what they were doing for clubs around the country. It was like a miracle and I knew this was the only chance to take the club another step forward. Thank God Shared Access picked our club. The lights went up in just over 6 weeks. So I don t think there is any way that we can ever thank John Delaney, Richard Fahey and Shared Access enough for what they have all done for our club. It s great to see the kids benefitting from improved facilities Noel Hunt, Leeds United FC Noel Hunt, who is capped for Ireland and plays for Leeds United, is a former member of Johnville FC and attended the switch on ceremony: It s fantastic to see the improvements at our local club here in Johnville. The new lights have added a new lease of life to the club and it s great to see the kids benefitting from improved facilities. The new lights in action at Johnville FC
Rochdale Sacred Heart FC Rochdale Sacred Heart already had two mobile phone masts on site. Far from stopping any future investment, this situation actually helped speed it up. Tony Kershaw explains what an investment from Shared Access has meant for his club: We have nothing but praise for the Shared Access Scheme. We have accepted a cash offer for the rent stream from a mobile operator mast on our site, enabling the club to embark on a major development programme that was out of reach without the Shared Access cash injection. Any club with ambition to progress should definitely talk to Shared Access Tony Kershaw, Chairman The club had received notice from the mobile operators on site that they planned to reduce the rent being paid. To reduce the club s risk, Shared Access took over this agreement and injected a cash sum into the club, which was used to attract more investment and through other funding opportunities the club are now embarking on a 500,000 development plan. Tony: The scheme really has been an enabler to fulfilling the club s full potential. Any club with ambition to progress should definitely talk to Shared Access. Thanks to Shared Access the full potential of the club can be realised