The Irish Football Association’s Youth Football Framework is continuing to be implemented across Northern Ireland.
Game Development Officers from the Irish FA Foundation have created development plans for all Small-Sided Games Centres and affiliated youth leagues across the country.
They are continuing to work closely with SSGs and leagues to help them to implement the framework.
And the Foundation is aiming to release funding to the centres and youth leagues related to the Youth Football Framework in April.
Funding will be distributed through a mechanism called Framework Standards. These standards are linked to criteria such as participation and retention, provision of girls’ football, council collaboration, inclusive governance and innovation/special initiatives.
Jordan Reid, Game Development Manager with the Irish FA Foundation, explained: “We are continuing to try to improve the environment to a more child-centred approach with festival formats, minimum safeguarding standards, minimum coaching standards and parent education and engagement.”
He further revealed club support is ongoing with GDOs helping 18 clubs to embrace the framework’s principles.
A total of 55 clubs already have champions who promote the merits of the framework, which is being phased in over a five-year period.
The foundation is currently putting YFF club champions through the UEFA Grassroots Leaders Award. It is aiming to have an idea sharing/best practice event with them on 23 February.
The Irish Football Association’s Youth Football Framework was launched in December 2024.
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.
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.
For further information on the framework go to the YFF website at: https://youthfootball.irishfa.com/
