The Irish Football Association’s Youth Football Framework has been strongly embraced over the past year.
The framework, which is aimed at revolutionising youth football in Northern Ireland, was launched last December.
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 framework was created following an extensive review by the association into youth football provision across the country.
Since last December 90 workshops (online and face to face) have been staged to discuss the YFF. They attracted 695 participants representing 109 clubs.
And 55 clubs now have champions who promote the merits of the framework, which is being phased in over a five-year period.
The YFF is centred around the child and the aim is to attract more children to play, keep players in the game for longer and to develop more technically gifted football players.
Game formats range from 3v3 to the more traditional 11v11, with each designed to meet the developmental needs of children at various ages.
There’s a phased approach to implementing the framework, beginning with players at the earliest stages of development first: 3v3 for U6 and U7 players and 5v5 for U8 and U9 players in festival formats with adapted rules.
Already the percentage of children playing age appropriate football formats has increased from 63% last season to 83% this season.
Jordan Reid, Game Development Manager with the Irish FA Foundation, explained: “Through my ongoing work with the South Belfast Youth League I have seen first hand the benefit of the new 5v5 festival format with the Under-9 age group.
“Traditionally they would have played seven-a-side football getting just one game and many would have been lost on the pitch or not getting many touches. The new smaller sided format means that players are getting many more touches of the ball and able to attack and defend in 1v1 situations more often.
“The festival format means there is less focus on the result of one single game, leading to less pressure and more enjoyment. Coaches are able to observe and support the development of their players more. It has been a massive success.”
Also during the past 12 months 329 people have completed an online Youth Football Framework module (coaches with a valid UEFA C Licence gain five CPD points for completing the free course), while the Irish FA continues to provide Coach Education bursaries.
Coach Education courses (Grassroots Introduction to Football Award, National Coaching Certificate, UEFA Grassroots Leaders Award and UEFA C Licence) are now aligned to the framework with information on the benefits of small-sided games and parent engagement and how this can help with children’s development.
In addition toolkits and resources developed for parent education and sideline behaviour are now available on the YFF website youthfootball.irishfa.com
Jonathan McClelland, chairman of Belfast-based Berlin Swifts and Swiftettes, said the YFF had helped to shape a more consistent, structured and player-focused approach throughout the club.
He explained: “Before the framework every team operated slightly differently, but the guidance and clear structure have given us a shared vision. Now all our coaches follow the same development principles, ensuring that no matter what age or stage a player is at they’re learning in the same environment and with the same values.
“The new formats have been a real gamechanger. Players are getting more touches of the ball, developing their decision-making skills and learning to play with confidence. There’s a visible difference in how players approach training and matches, with more enjoyment, creativity and understanding of the game.”
Over the past year six parent engagement workshops, attracting 87 participants, have been held as part of the framework rollout, with more to come.
Other highlights in year one included a Grassroots Football Conference in September at which guest speakers and club leaders discussed the framework and the benefits of child-centred development. It attracted 80 delegates from clubs all over the country.
To help with implementation the Irish FA has provided more than 600 sets of goals (worth £300,000-plus) to Small-Sided Games centres and youth leagues across Northern Ireland.
