Vale Wanderers are the latest club to achieve the FAI Club Mark award.

Vale Wanderers were formed in the early 90's as a junior club operating for three or four years before reforming in the early 2000's as a juvenile club with the Carlow & District Juvenile League.

The club re-entered junior football in 2010 following the establishment of a very strong juvenile base. Vale's home is located as part of the Leighlin Parish Sports Grounds in Leighlinbridge, known locally as "the Superbowl".

At juvenile level Vale have gone from strength to strength winning underage league titles from U11 to U16 and numerous cups along the way.

Vale have progressed many players and coaches to academy level with the Carlow Juvenile Leagues Academies, representing the club at Galway, Kennedy and Gaynor Cups.

One of Vales proudest achievements has been the establishment of girls football in Carlow with Vale having constant representation in Gaynor Cup squads.

The club's juvenile pathway has borne fruit with Vales Youths claiming back to back Carlow U18 Youth League Titles from 2018 to 2020. Many of these players are now established in Vales Junior Men's first & second teams.

Vale have also had cup success in winning the Med Bar Cup in 2019 while Vales Ladies team was established in 2012 and won the Carlow Ladies Division 2 Cup in their inaugural year.

Off the field Vale have made great progress with the redevelopment of the Superbowl Complex, through cooperation with Naomh Brid Hurling & Camogie Clubs and Leighlin Parish. Between 2008 and 2010 work was carried out to create two full-size grass pitches (1 GAA & 1 Football). The Superbowl Complex further progressed to developing an extra football training pitch in 2014 which has since been upgraded to a full-size FIFA approved 3G all-weather pitch in 2018.

The club currently has in excess of 300 members with over 200 juvenile members, playing in the CDJL and C&DL. Teams also compete annually in the SFAI, LFA and FAI Junior Cups.

The club has formed strong relationships with outside stakeholders such as Carlow Kilkenny FC, Wexford FC, Carlow IT and the Carlow & District Juvenile League Academy all who now avail of Vale's facilities.

In gaining the FAI Club Mark award the club would like to thank Garry Coady (FAI Regional Development Officer), the CDJL, C&DL and all Vale's coaches and volunteers for their assistance in getting the club to the levels they are now at. The club places special mention to Vale's Secretary Jeanne Casey and Chairman Chris Collins who were the driving forces in getting the club the award.

The FAI Club Mark is free and optional for clubs and aims to:

• Improve the management of clubs ‘off the field’
• Establish and promote best practice
• Empower and support clubs
• Recognise and reward clubs for achieving high standards
• Increase a club’s capacity to operate effectively and grow football in communities throughout Ireland.

If your club is interested in learning more about the FAI Club Mark please complete this short Registration Form.