The Irish Football Association has launched a Youth Football Framework aimed at revolutionising youth football in Northern Ireland.
The framework has been created following an extensive review by the association into youth football provision across the country.
It aims to maximise enjoyment and technical development for every child and young person and is built around four key pillars: Game, Education, Environment and Governance.
The Irish FA consulted widely with stakeholders at every level of the game, and especially with clubs and coaches operating at youth level, when developing the framework.
“The framework covers all elements of youth football, from coaches and parents, the performance and everyday game, to the environment in which the game is played, including pitches, equipment and nets,” said James Thompson, Director of Foundation at the Irish FA.
“We are committed to moving all of youth football across Northern Ireland forward together.”
Supportive
“The framework aims to create a supportive and productive playing environment for children and young people here. It will give coaches, referees, parents and supporters a key role in making that happen.”
And through it all games at youth level will be tailored to players’ stage of development.
“The young player is the core reason behind every component of the framework,” added Thompson.
“The framework will align and provide further consistency to youth football in Northern Ireland, applying the same rules and adopting the same guidance for parents and coaches.”
“Together with clubs, youth leagues and key partners we are going to revolutionise youth football in Northern Ireland.”
There will be a phased approach to implementing the framework, beginning with players at the earliest stages of development first.
“Our approach is tailored with game formats ranging from 3v3 to the more traditional 11v11, each designed to meet the developmental needs of children at various ages,” said Aaron Hughes, the Irish FA Technical Director.
“It’s a comprehensive effort to ensure football remains a source of enjoyment, learning and camaraderie for our young players.”
Consultation
The youth review which led to the creation of the framework consisted of four phases over a 12-month period. During each phase research and consultation was independently led by Ulster University.
More than 150 clubs engaged with the process through more than 250 hours of consultation. Players, coaches, parents, teachers, referees and club administrators got involved. Focus groups were also established, and technical and steering groups were set up, too.
In addition there were almost 24,000 responses to a survey which formed part of the review into youth football in Northern Ireland.
“Over the next five years we are going to triple our annual financial investment into the youth game and increase the presence of Irish FA officers within youth leagues and clubs,” added Hughes.
“We want people who are passionate about the framework and want to lead the change in their club or school to contact us to see how they can help to implement it. Working closely with Irish FA officers, there will be an opportunity for direct club and school support.”
Measurement of the impact of the framework on young players, coaches and the wider football community will be ongoing, and the Irish FA is committed to refining and evolving it.
The Youth Football Framework can be viewed at https://youthfootball.irishfa.com/
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
Consultation, consideration, investment and continuous monitoring are all important elements of a new strategy and all are in place with this new framework. Giving coaches and clubs across the spectrum of Northern Ireland football a pathway to follow will enable a greater degree of talent to emerge.
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Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will discover their opponents in the FIFA World Cup Qualifying Groups on Friday.
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