The Irish FA’s Coach Education department had a strong performance in the first half of 2025 – and there’s more to come.
Sean-Paul Murray, Head of Coach Education at the association, revealed it has been a productive year for the department to date.
He said: “It’s been a hugely successful first six months of the year for the Irish FA Coach Education programme, with fantastic engagement and momentum across the full spectrum of our courses, from grassroots to the elite end of the game.
“We’ve delivered thousands of hours of education already in 2025, supporting coaches on our National Coaching Certificate (NCC) course all the way through to our UEFA Pro Diploma.
“Each course has been underpinned by a commitment to creating rich, inclusive learning environments and ensuring that every coach, regardless of background or ambition, feels supported and stretched.”
He noted there had been “a brilliant start” to UEFA C and UEFA B diploma courses, including a record number of female coaches enrolling across both pathways.
Murray also revealed the launch of bespoke UEFA B and UEFA A diplomas for current and former professional players had provided a highly practical and player-led learning model that has been “very well received”.
He explained there had been a powerful residential block for the UEFA Pro Diploma, which included high profile contributions from Northern Ireland senior men’s team manager Michael O’Neill and top level club managers. He said this had helped to blend theory with the realities of elite performance.
The department also ran its first ever UEFA Grassroots Leaders Diploma. “It was a significant step forward in aligning our pathway to UEFA’s updated Grassroots Coaching Framework, with great feedback from new tutors and volunteers alike,” revealed Murray.
In addition Coach Education staff launched new Fitness for Football modules, which bring practical, evidence-based physical preparation guidance to coaches working at all levels of the game.
“These were developed in partnership with our Sport Science team and will be a key strand of our ongoing CPD (continuous professional development) offering,” the Head of Coach Education said.
The department will be rolling out a significant programme of courses in the second half of the year, too.
It includes the delivery of another round of in-person contact blocks for coaches on UEFA B, UEFA A Year One, UEFA Pro and UEFA B Youth diploma courses alongside a number of UEFA C diploma and NCC courses across all parts of Northern Ireland.
Murray further pointed out: “A key focus moving forward will be continuing to build and support our tutor teams to meet growing demand and ensure consistency and quality across all delivery.
“Most importantly we now look forward to working with coaches within their own club environments, supporting them as they apply their learning in real-world settings.”
