Northern Ireland is proudly hosting the UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship, a landmark moment that reflects years of strategic investment in elite pathways, facilities and player development for girls and young women across the country.
Behind this progress is a long-term commitment by the Irish FA to create meaningful opportunities for female players at every stage of the game. Supported in part through the UEFA HatTrick programme, funding generated from the men’s European Championship is being reinvested into projects that strengthen football development across Europe, including here in Northern Ireland.
Today, that investment is helping shape a stronger future for the women’s game, ensuring current and future generations of players have access to high-quality coaching, modern facilities and clear development pathways from grassroots to the international stage.
Creating Clear Pathways for Girls
At the centre of this transformation is the Irish FA’s girls’ development pathway, designed to identify and support talented young players from an early age.
The Girls’ National Performance Programme (NPP) provides elite coaching opportunities for players aged 11 to 14 across four regional centres. More than 200 players currently participate across three age groups, benefiting from structured training programmes delivered consistently throughout the season.
The pathway continues through the Irish FA’s Elite Girls’ Youth Academy, which supports Under-14, Under-15 and Under-16 players through weekly technical sessions, strength and conditioning programmes, residential camps and competitive fixtures — while allowing players to remain connected to their local clubs.
Angela Platt, Irish FA Director of Women’s Football, said:
“Our focus has been on creating an environment where every talented girl can see a clear pathway from grassroots through to the international game.
“To have so many players from our Women’s Under-17 squad progressing through these programmes is hugely encouraging and demonstrates the positive impact of the structures now in place.
“UEFA HatTrick investment has been instrumental in helping us build the right environments and support systems for young players to develop and thrive. Hosting a major UEFA tournament at home is an incredible opportunity that will inspire the next generation to believe they can follow the same journey.”
Last season alone, academy players completed more than 120 structured training sessions, competed in international tournaments and gained valuable experience against elite opposition across Europe. Alongside football development, players also receive tailored support in welfare, education and life skills.
Modernising Player Development and Scouting
Investment through UEFA HatTrick is also supporting the modernisation of player identification and performance monitoring within the Irish FA.
Through the Elite Player Data and Scouting project, the association is developing a bespoke digital platform that will bring together performance data, scouting reports, eligibility tracking and player profiles into one secure system accessible to national team staff.
The new system will enhance talent identification, improve player tracking and provide greater support for players as they progress through the pathway towards international football.
Developing Facilities for the Future
Northern Ireland’s football infrastructure continues to benefit from significant reinvestment.
The National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, host venue for the UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship semi-finals and final, has undergone major redevelopment with support from UEFA HatTrick funding, including the installation of a new hybrid playing surface and LED floodlighting to meet modern performance and broadcast standards.
Angela Platt added:
“Providing young players with opportunities to perform in elite-level stadiums is an important part of their development.
“Experiences like these help reinforce the standards and expectations of international football while preparing players for the next stages of their journey.”
Looking ahead, plans for a new National Football Centre at Galgorm represent the next phase of the Irish FA’s long-term vision for football development in Northern Ireland. Supported through UEFA HatTrick, FIFA and government funding, the centre will provide a permanent high-performance base for Northern Ireland’s national teams across all age groups, featuring elite pitches, indoor facilities and community access.
Together, these investments are helping build a sustainable future for football in Northern Ireland, ensuring the next generation of girls can dream bigger, develop further and aspire to represent their country on the international stage.
