Release Date: 20/02/2012

The Irish Football Association in partnership with the Northern Ireland Women’s Football Association recently launched two new Sport Northern Ireland funded projects aimed at developing capacity within women’s and girl’s football club’s so that there are improved structures in place to increase the number of girls and women playing football.

The “Girls Allowed” and “Girls Allowed Too” projects were developed following a series of consultation events culminating in a major IFA organised stakeholders event held in March 2011.

“Girls Allowed” focussed on offering a series of courses to individuals wanting to become more involved in women’s and girl’s football – courses such as level one coaching, becoming a referee, coaching people with disabilities and also child protection.

“Girls Allowed Too” was linked to this project and involved setting up ten pilot projects, across Northern Ireland, for to offer girls aged 6-11 opportunities to learn new skills and play mini football. The coaches created through “Girls Allowed” will be offered the opportunity to gain valuable coaching experience at the pilot projects.

Speaking at the launch in the Malone Lodge Hotel NIWFA chair Elaine Junk said

“I would like to thank Sport Northern Ireland for supporting these two complementary projects”

“We in the NIWFA work closely with our clubs to try and improve standards at all levels, be they coaching or administration, and I am confident that these two projects will make a real difference to women’s and girl’s football”

Elaine added “The NIWFA and IFA intend to use findings from the two projects to assist in the future development of women’s and girl’s football”

Sport Northern Ireland were represented at the launch by John News, Community Sport Manager, and Conleth Donnelly Development Officer

Conleth thanked the NIWFA and IFA for the invitation to the launch and commented

“Sport Northern Ireland is pleased to support NIWFA and IFA with these projects”

“The projects will deliver opportunities for women and girls to participate in grassroots sport across Northern Ireland”

“Sport Northern Ireland would also like to congratulate the strong partnership that has been developed between the two organizations”
 
On behalf Of the IFA Sara Booth, Women's Domestic Football Manager, said

"This exciting collaboration between the NIWFA and IFA is an indication of the work being carried out in girls and women's football in NI at this time”

“New girls clubs are springing up regularly throughout NI and this project is one example of how the two associations are working hard to assist with this process.”

Sara suggested “By enhancing the coaching qualifications of local club coaches and volunteers it is hoped that they will provide quality coaching experiences which will encourage more girls to come and try football, and more importantly, remain in football for many years to come"

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