IRISH FA

YOUTH FOOTBALL STRATEGY

Summary Document
2015-2025

www.irishfa.com
Welcome
Prior to 2015 the Irish Football Association (Irish FA) never had an overarching Youth Football Strategy. Development initiatives within
the association’s youth football provision, although often excellent, were piecemeal, led by individuals acting within their own remit
often without regard for the wider Irish FA youth developmental needs. With around 50,000 young people playing the game regularly
(DCAL, 2009), the Irish FA recognised the need for a fit for purpose youth football strategy in its Strategic Plan 2013-2018. It felt
such a strategy was required to revitalise the culture of the youth game, drive participation up in a structured manner in clubs and
schools, and to develop clear pathways for young people to become involved and stay involved in the game. That 10-year strategy,
Let Them Play, was first introduced in 2015 and is continuing to evolve. It is important that the Irish FA not only provides football for
all but that it puts in place strategic systems which will develop young boys and girls, whatever their background or ability level, and
nurture them to reach their full potential. Ultimately the Irish FA wishes to produce a youth football culture which empowers boys and
girls to develop a lifelong love for the game, not only creating talented players who can one day play for Northern Ireland but helping
to create positive citizens who can contribute to society. Young people in Northern Ireland deserve the best and with Let Them Play
the Irish FA aims to work with all our partners and stakeholders to deliver the best for them.

Michael O’Neill Michael Boyd David Martin Patrick Nelson

Northern Ireland Senior Men’s Director of Football Developement President Chief Executive Officer
International Team Manager

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Vision
To promote, foster and develop youth football for all in Northern Ireland,
creating a fun, safe and inclusive culture which inspires a lifelong love of
the game and serves the community through football and education.

Strategic Context
SPORT MATTERS • Promote sport and physical recreation as a primary health improvement tool
• A world class start and lifelong involvement in sport and physical recreation for all people

1 • World class performances by teams and individuals

• A sustainable sporting and physical recreation culture that contributes to broader government objectives

PROGRAMME • Growing a sustainable economy and investing in the future

FOR GOVERNMENT • Creating opportunities, tackling disadvantage and improving health and well-being

2 • Protecting our people, the environment and creating safer communities

• Building a strong and shared community

IRISH FA • Foster a balanced, flourishing senior domestic game

STRATEGY • Create a healthy domestic game at all other levels, i.e. intermediate, junior, women’s, boys, schools
• Reach beyond the game, using the power of football for health, education and social development

3 • Build a culture of lifelong participation in footbal

• Use National Football Stadium at Windsor Park as a focal point for football in Northern Ireland

UEFA GRASSROOTS • Grow participation, especially amongst girls

CHARTER • Design, develop and deliver youth specific coach education
• Enhanced club and volunteer development

4 • Football thriving in schools

• Promote equality at grassroots level

The Northern Ireland International

Powerchair team at last year’s
Home International Championships

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OBJECTIVES
1. Increase youth participation rates to 75,000 by 2020 and 100,000 by 2025.
2. Increase the percentage of schools where football and futsal is played to
90% by 2020 and increase participation by 100% by 2025.
3. Embed a culture of club and volunteer development throughout youth
football by 2020.
4. Create new Irish FA youth football coach education pathways.
5. Create new player development pathways & Irish FA Club Licensing Young players before their match at the Bangor
criteria for NIFL Premiership clubs’ youth development programmes. Small-Sided Games Development Centre

OBJECTIVE 1: Participation and Football For All

We will broaden the base of participation, especially targeting areas where football is weak, such as rural areas. This will increase
the player pool and encourage a sense of belonging to football in the community. We will set clear targets for girls and players
with a disability to fully integrate the Irish FA Football For All ethos into our plans moving forward.
The Irish FA has led the way in the provision of sporting opportunities for those with a disability with more than 5000 participants
in football activities per calendar year. It is our intention to build upon this success by making disability provision a clear objective
throughout this strategy and to approach work in the disability sector with a concerted effort throughout Football Development.
BY 2020 WE • 22,000 children aged 5-13 playing in Irish FA Small-Sided Games Development Centres,
WILL INCREASE disability clubs and football camps annually by 2020.
PARTICIPATION BY

50%
• Senior men’s and women’s Northern Ireland international players to become official
ambassadors of Irish FA Health and Respect campaigns.
• Parent/guardian education workshops delivered to ensure child friendly and value based
ethos. The highly successful Irish FA Silent Sidelines campaign to take place on the first
Saturday of every month to promote Respect NI message.
• 4,000 registered youth futsal players playing in Irish FA Futsal Development Centres by
2020 (25% of all players being female).
• Continue to develop and promote U15, U17 and U19 girls’ youth development leagues.
• Work with Belfast City Council to support Football For All via the Stadium Community
Benefits Initiative.

BY 2025 WE • All players and coaches to be registered with the Irish FA on a new IT platform.
WILL INCREASE
PARTICIPATION BY • All players and coaches to have Irish FA ID numbers and online accounts, creating an

100%
online community.
• All leagues, clubs and development centres to be accredited and regularly assessed by
Irish FA.
• Increase girls’ participation by 25% and increase disability participation by 10%.
• Establish 12 Let Them Play Hubs across Northern Ireland.
• Develop Let Them Play partnership agreements.

PARTNERS NIFL • NIWFA • NIBFA • Sport NI • Primary Schools

Post Primary Schools/Colleges & Universities • Local Councils
Disability Sport NI • Local Government • UEFA • FIFA

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OBJECTIVE 2: Schools, Colleges and Universities
Schools and Colleges Football is one of the main areas where the Irish FA can access and influence young players on a
regular basis. This objective seeks to revamp our Schools Football development work and take football back to schools where
the connection has been lost or to schools that don’t traditionally engage in football.
Futsal is a fantastic new vehicle to engage schools and school halls can be adapted to futsal with ease. Futsal encourages
good technique and fast thinking attacking play, both of which are essential for the modern player. But the most important
factor is that it is fun.
The District Schools’ Player Development Programme will revolutionise how we identify and develop young players, preparing
them for our boys’ and girls’ elite development programmes at Key Stage 2. The new Irish FA School Quality Mark is designed
to build the capacity of schools and teachers to develop the game. The main development areas for the new Irish FA School
Quality Mark are after-schools football, increased level of coaching, provision for girls and being able to demonstrate clear
school/club links. The aim is to create Football Schools over a period of time. UEFA’s new Grassroots Charter has identified
Schools Football as a priority area for future development and UEFA have expressed an interest in officially supporting our new
Schools Football plans as pilots.

BY 2020 WE WILL INCREASE THE 90%

PERCENTAGE OF SCHOOLS WHERE
FOOTBALL IS PLAYED FROM 45%

45% TO 90% 2015 2020

• We successfully launched the Irish FA Player Development We aim to have at least three Football Performance Schools
Programme in September 2015 and continue to select and three Football Development Schools.
280 Primary School Players (Key Stage 2) on an annual We will also establish two long term education partners
basis (25% girls). supporting Irish FA Performance Academies for boys and girls.
• Launched the Irish FA School Quality Mark in December
2015 and have a target for 80 Primary Schools and 25
Post Primary Schools to have achieved Irish FA School
Quality Mark status by 2020.
• Launched our Futsal Strategic Plan in January 2016 with
the aim of having 2,000 Futsal players (25% female and
10% disability) playing in Schools and Colleges Futsal
Development competition by 2020.
• We were honoured to host a UEFA futsal seminar in June
2015 and the knowledge gained from this experience has
informed the development of futsal within Northern Ireland.
• Partnership with 10 colleges and schools regarding Irish FA Participants and staff at the launch of the first Irish FA Elite
football education programmes. Performance School at Integrated College Dungannon

PARTNERS NIFL • Primary Schools • Local Councils • Sport NI

Post Primary Schools/Colleges & Universities
Local Government • UEFA • FIFA

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 OBJECTIVE 3: Club and Volunteer Development
Clubs and volunteers are an integral part of grassroots football. The overarching aim of the Irish FA McDonald’s Club Mark is to
provide an accreditation process which clubs can adhere to. Within this process clubs will show evidence of best practice and
what’s required in order to become a sustainable club that provides football for all and has a structured plan designed for the club
to develop efficiently.
Volunteers are the backbone of grassroots football. Within Northern Ireland we have more than 900 clubs and over 10,000
Club and Volunteer Development will be at the heart of the Irish FA’s Football
volunteers who contribute daily to football here. A football club is more than just the players on the pitch and the workforce
continues to grow off the pitch, with more bespoke roles being created which collectively contribute to improving the grassroots
Development plans moving forward. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the game
game. Education is key and our clubs will receive guidance and support with a particular focus on how volunteers can be
recruited, rewarded and retained. The Irish FA aims to allow volunteers the freedom within their clubs to develop individually and
and clubs provide crucial opportunities for change in the lives of young
play a pivotal role in growing their clubs.

people
Grassroots through
volunteers are development, education,
not paid. Not because trainingbut
they’re worthless, and they’re priceless
accreditation.
because We will.
invest in clubs and volunteers at all levels and prioritise support for inclusive
clubs.

John Haveron and Iris McIIroy

from Albert Foundry FC receive
Volunteers at an Irish FA event their Foundation Club Mark

Winners at the 2017 McDonald’s Community Awards with Pat Jennings

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 By 2020 We will embed a culture of club and volunteer
development throughout youth football.

• Support and develop 200 football clubs with youth football teams to have achieved Irish FA Club Mark.
• All NIFL Premiership clubs to have achieved Irish FA Club Mark status.
• To have a structured work experience programme which facilitates 80 young people per year.
• Recruit and retain 100 young volunteers aged 16-25 into Irish FA Volunteer Team.
• 50 Irish FA young volunteers placed with local clubs (who have achieved Irish FA Club Mark) and leagues.
• To provide volunteer opportunities via the Stay Onside or GOALS programmes to 25 young people per year
who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).
• Recruit a minimum of 10 volunteers per year to monitor atmosphere in youth football and promote Respect
NI campaign.
• Irish FA young volunteers to form Irish FA Youth Forum as part of the Sport Uniting Communities programme
which will present its ideas and recommendations annually to the Football Development management team.
• Work with partners to introduce a new entrance criteria in 2018 for
groups who want to start youth football clubs which encourages
inclusive community clubs who provide football for boys and girls.
• To deliver mental health and wellbeing awareness to 1500 young
people ­­­­­­within grassroots coach education.
• To deliver the Ahead Of The Game mental health and wellbeing guide Volunteers letting their hair down at the
to 100 clubs. 2017 McDonald’s Community Awards

• To embed mental health and wellbeing within the Irish FA Club Mark.
• To deliver an annual conference with focus on club and volunteer development from 2019.

By 2025 All leagues and development centres

will be accredited.

• 500 football clubs with youth football teams to have achieved Irish FA club development accreditation.
• To have structured Irish FA Volunteer Trainee and Irish FA Football Apprenticeship programmes in place with
relevant partners, setting targets for NEETS, BME (Black, Minority and Ethnic) groups and Protestant working
class young people from areas that have been identified via research as most in need and/or under-represented.
• Recruit 500 young volunteers aged 16-25 into Irish FA Volunteer Team.
• All leagues or development centres to be accredited with club and volunteer development embedded in the criteria.
• Have youth futsal leagues and university development leagues established for males and females.
• To deliver the Ahead Of The Game mental health and wellbeing guide to 4000 within grassroots coach education.
• To deliver mental health and wellbeing workshops to 300 clubs.

PARTNERS NIFL • NIWFA • NIBFA • Volunteer Now • Show Racism The Red Card
Local Councils • Sport NI • Local Government
UEFA • FIFA

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GRASSROOTS
IRISH FA PLAYER P
ACTIVITY 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
CURRICULUM AND AFTER SCHOOLS COACHING

SMALL-SIDED GAMES 5-A-SIDE

SMALL-SIDED GAMES 7-A-SIDE

SMALL-SIDED GAMES 9-A-SIDE

CLUB 11-A-SIDE

SCHOOLS 7-A-SIDE - 11-A-SIDE

FOOTBALL CAMPS

FUTSAL

SPECIAL SCHOOL REGIONAL GAMES

DISABILITY CLUB LEAGUES

DISABILITY FOOTBALL CAMPS

PERFORMANCE
ACTIVITY 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
SCHOOL DISTRICTS PDP (MALE & FEMALE)

CLUB NI (MALE)

GIRLS EXCELLENCE (FEMALE)

UNDER-15 INTERNATIONAL (MALE & FEMALE)

UNDER-17 INTERNATIONAL (MALE & FEMALE)

UNDER-19 INTERNATIONAL (MALE & FEMALE)

UNDER-17 INTERNATIONAL FUTSAL (FEMALE)

UNDER-19 INTERNATIONAL FUTSAL (MALE)

NIFL CLUBS

UNDER-21 INTERNATIONAL (MALE)

SENIOR INTERNATIONAL FUTSAL (MALE & FEMALE)

SENIOR INTERNATIONAL (MALE & FEMALE)

CEREBRAL PALSY INTERNATIONAL

MODERATE LEARNING DISABILITY INTERNATIONAL

DEAF FUTSAL INTERNATIONAL

POWERCHAIR INTERNATIONAL

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R PATHWAY 4-23
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

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 OBJECTIVE 4: Youth Football Coach Education
Youth coach education will be the vehicle to change the football culture and
challenge hearts and minds. Our coach education courses aimed at youth level
are designed to focus on the young player ensuring that the coaching delivered is
appropriate to the specific age of the young players, thereby providing added value
in terms of technical ability and game understanding. With futsal we will also be
motivating coaches to champion this new game so that we create a culture of futsal
which assists boys and girls to develop technique, quick thinking and to have fun.
Our coach education ladder will show a clear pathway for coaches of youth age
players, with a newly designed Irish FA Youth Certificate that is is divided into three
age related modules. It is our intention to encourage more coaches to consider
developing their skills set by participating on the Youth Certificate. Participants at a Level 1 coaching course

We will create new Irish FA youth

By 2020 football coach education pathways.

3000 youth football coaches and teachers will have completed the Football Fundamentals and Grassroots
Introduction to Football Irish FA coach education courses.

2000 coaches will have completed their Level 1 coaching award.

800 youth football coaches and teachers will have completed the Irish FA Futsal Introductory Award.
300 young people to have completed Grassroots Introduction to Football via Irish FA schools and college education
partnerships, and the Irish FA Stay Onside young offenders programme.

The Irish FA Youth Certificate will be regarded

By 2025 by coaches of youth football as an essential
qualification for working at this level.

500 youth football coaches will have completed Irish FA youth modules.
200 coaches will have achieved the Irish FA Futsal B Licence award.
We will recruit and retain a pool of 12 qualified volunteers who can deliver club and volunteer workshops.

Every club will have a coach who has attended disability awareness training.
PARTNERS NISFA • NIWFA • NIBFA • Local Councils • Local Government
Primary Schools • Post Primary School / Colleges & Universities
Sport NI • Show Racism The Red Card • UEFA • FIFA

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OBJECTIVE 5: Player Development Pathways
This objective is designed to create clear player pathways for the best young talent, both males and females. We will
maximise the elite player pool for Irish FA international managers and increase the number of professional footballers
(both men and women) from which they can select. The targets are designed to improve relations between club and
country with the focus on the well-being and welfare of young players.

We will introduce new player development

By 2020 pathways and new club licensing criteria for NIFL
Premiership clubs’ youth programmes.

• The Irish FA Player Development Programme aimed at 280 Key Stage 2 pupils (25% girls) was launched in September
2015, feeding talented players with potential into further Irish FA Player Development programmes.
• Irish FA to work with NIFL to introduce new youth development criteria for senior NIFL clubs by 2019 as part of Irish FA
Club Licensing, encouraging partnership approach with community/junior clubs.
• The Irish FA will develop a free Youth Development Coaching and Player Development Handbook for all clubs by 2019
which highlights the Northern Ireland football philosophy, player DNA and encourages Northern Ireland football playing
systems. The Irish FA will hold open seminars for clubs on Youth Development and Talent Identification. Clubs will be
encouraged to attend and there will be regular opportunities for clubs to showcase good practice.
• A rewards system will be developed in partnership with NIFL for clubs who reach an agreed quota of youth players
within their first team squads by the end of 2018. Rewards will include coaching master classes from the Northern
Ireland International Management Team and Irish FA Player Development Coaches.
• Irish FA will have a Deaf Futsal team, a Moderate Learning Difficulty team and a Powerchair team all representing
Northern Ireland in international competition.
• A player development and life skills programme shall be established with key stakeholders.

Players from player development programmes

By 2025 will be representing Northern Ireland Men’s and
Women’s Senior Teams.

• At least five players from player development programmes to have

progressed through to the Northern Ireland Senior A Men’s and Women’s
teams and to be playing professional football at a high level on the
world stage. A minimum of 10 players from the player development
programmes to be involved in the Men’s U21 and Women’s U19 squads.
• Irish FA to have a world class training academy for player and coach
development from U17 to U21, providing elite football and education
programmes.
• 40 players from the player development programme playing in NIFL
Premiership league. JD Club NI players prepare for a match

PARTNERS NIFL • NIWFA • NISFA• NIBFA • Sport NI • Disability Sport • NI Paralympics

Primary Schools • Post Primary School / Colleges & Universities
Local Councils • Local Government • UEFA • FIFA

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PARTICIPATION AND DEVELOPMENT MODEL
Lifelong Participation
17+
NIFL Pro Licence Senior Internationals
NIWFA League UEFA A Performance Academy
UEFA B
NIBFA League Youth Internationals
Youth Module 3

12-16
UEFA B Regional Development
Youth Leagues
Youth Module 1 & 2 Performance Schools
Irish FA C Certificate

Small-Sided Games 6-12 Player Development

Development Centres Youth Module 1 Programme
Level 1

PLAYER COACHING PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

PARTICIPATION PATHWAY PATHWAY

Grassroots Foundation
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SUMMARY
This strategy supports the Irish FA’s Football For All vision. It is ambitious and sets out challenging objectives for the Irish
FA, its partners and stakeholders in youth football. It introduces a new youth football coaching framework and embeds
futsal for the first time into development plans. It creates new player identification and development pathways and also
introduces new innovative schools programmes.
The strategy addresses serious gaps in youth development here in Northern Ireland by making schools, clubs and
volunteering core components for development moving forward. Investing in schools, clubs and volunteers will pay
dividends in the long term (UEFA Grassroots Charter, 2015). This strategy supports Department For Communities’ Sport
Matters Strategy with clear targets to increase participation levels (with a special focus on increasing female and disability
participation). It promotes lifelong enjoyment and will revolutionise how we identify potential talent, creating new player
pathways which will increase the elite player pool to select future internationals, hopefully creating a golden generation in
the years to come who can compete at the highest level for Northern Ireland.
It is an exciting time for the sport of football and there is untapped potential. By delivering the objectives set out in this
strategy the Irish FA will be doing all in its power to ensure it is creating compelling pathways to grow the game, and for all
young people to get involved and stay involved in the game. With a comprehensive youth football strategy in place the Irish
FA can make a massive difference working with our partners in promoting Football For All, creating a fun, safe and inclusive
culture throughout the game and reflecting a new and more confident Northern Ireland. All Northern Ireland’s young people
deserve the best and the Irish FA is aiming to deliver the best for them.

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Irish FA DIRECTOR OF
FOOTBALL

Key contacts DEVELOPMENT

MICHAEL BOYD
07894 614328
michael.boyd@irishfa.com

FEMALE DOMESTIC
GRASSROOTS AND YOUTH FOOTBALL MANAGER
DEVELOPMENT FOOTBALL FOR ALL
MANAGER MANAGER GAIL REDMOND
07515 994217
KEITH GIBSON gail.redmond@irishfa.com
IAN STEWART
07809 657879
07930 759777
keith.gibson@irishfa.com www.irishfa.com/girlsand
ian.stewart@irishfa.com
womensfootballstrategy

SCHOOLS AND FUTSAL

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL MANAGER SAFEGUARDING SERVICE
PERFORMANCE MANAGER DELIVERY MANAGER
JONATHAN MICHAEL
ALFIE WYLIE 07802 327541 KEVIN DOYLE
07931 956751 jonathan.michael@irishfa.com 07889 057992
alfie.wylie@irishfa.com kevin.doyle@irishfa.com
www.irishfa.com/
futsalstrategy

DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
DISABILITY FOOTBALL COACH EDUCATION ELITE PERFORMANCE
MANAGER DIRECTOR
ALAN CROOKS
07894 614324
NIGEL BEST JIM MAGILTON
alan.crooks@irishfa.com
07894 614316 07841 917908
nigel.best@irishfa.com jim.magilton@irishfa.com
www.irishfa.com/
disabilityfootballstrategy

The Irish FA Foundation is dedicating Let Them He was a vibrant and energetic colleague who devoted so much of his time
Play to Wesley Gregg who unfortunately passed and his expertise to promoting football at all levels. He was an inspiration to
away in 2015. Wesley epitomised the enthusiasm those who met him.
and dedication we want to see in everyone
Wesley formed many close friendships with people within local community
connected to the youth game. He was proud to
groups, clubs and with volunteers over many years within his local area and
serve the community through football and this
beyond. Wesley was always a consummate professional in his chosen career
is exactly what we aim to do via this strategy.
and displayed kindness, consideration and friendship to all.
We are proud to dedicate this new youth football
strategy to his memory and his family. He was open minded yet principled, approachable and sympathetic, a mentor
to many but above all else a true gentleman.
Wesley was an influential member of our Grassroots Development Team
since 2005 and a former coach with Ballymena United FC, Institute FC and We have lost a friend, a much esteemed colleague and we will sorely miss the
Coleraine FC. many characteristics that made Wesley the friend he was.

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 Irish FA
National Football Stadium at Windsor Park
Donegall Avenue
Belfast
BT12 6LU

www.irishfa.com