The Football Collective’s annual conference was staged at the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park.
Hosted by Ulster University, the two-day conference attracted academics and interested parties from across the football family in the UK and beyond.
More than 120 attendees had the opportunity to listen to industry experts on a variety of topics revolving around the sport.
Irish Football Association CEO Patrick Nelson delivered the opening and closing remarks at the event.
“This is a conference to look at sport and the inside of football specifically, so we would look at football through a different lens,” explained Dr Kyle Ferguson, Head of the School of Sport and Exercise Science at Ulster University.
“Many people come here for a debate, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to have that, to disagree agreeably on our views on football.
“The stadium is an iconic stadium with a lot of history and tradition. The start of the conference was about that history and tradition and the unique place of Northern Ireland in world football.
“Apart from that Ulster University has an educational partnership with the Irish FA, so we work together both in terms of the theory and practice of football, so it’s an ideal opportunity to bring people to the stadium.”
It was the first time that The Football Collective held its annual conference in Northern Ireland.
Through NFS Events, the arm of the Irish Football Association which promotes the National Stadium as a conference venue and events space, a plethora of functions are held at lounges and executive boxes in the stadium.
Peter Shepherd, Conference and Events Sales Manager at the Irish FA, said the association was delighted to welcome The Football Collective conference hosted by Ulster University’s Research Centre for Sport in Society and supported by Visit Belfast, Belfast City Council and Tourism Northern Ireland.
He pointed out: “Events like The Football Collective conference enable us to showcase the stadium as a unique venue capable of hosting a wide variety of events such as training courses, celebrations or gala dinners.
“All profits generated by NFS Events go back into supporting football in Northern Ireland. By having their event here at the stadium, clients are not only experiencing the iconic surroundings of the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park but also supporting the growth of the game.”
The Football Collective is comprised of students, practitioners, scholars and researchers. Membership is open to anyone engaged in football research at any level with an interest in supporting others.
To learn more about The Football Collective visit www.thefootballcollective.com.
And for further information about staging events at the National Stadium go to www.irishfa.com.
At the conference
