Young players at the Irish FA JD Academy attended two interactive educational workshops this month at their Belfast base.
The sessions at Campbell College - they formed part of the players’ ongoing personal development - focused on sport integrity and social media awareness.
Chris Wright, the Irish FA’s Anti-Doping and Integrity Education Officer, led the session on integrity in football and sport in general.
Academy players explored strict UEFA and Irish FA integrity regulations, covering topics such as illegal sports betting, the misuse of inside information, and how to identify and report match-fixing or spot-fixing approaches.
The workshop on social media awareness was delivered by Chantal Ford, the Irish FA’s Safeguarding and Welfare Manager.
The interactive session guided players through managing their digital presence, addressing online reputation, privacy settings, cyberbullying and professional conduct.
Highlighting the importance of holistic player development, Irish FA JD Academy Manager Kris Lindsay said: "Providing our academy players with these workshops is integral to their overall growth.
“We are extremely grateful to Chris and Chantal for delivering such insightful and impactful sessions.
“The Irish FA JD Academy remains fully committed to supporting our young academy footballers both on and off the pitch, ensuring they develop into well-rounded individuals prepared for the challenges of modern life and professional football."
Image: Chris Wright, the Irish FA’s Anti-Doping and Integrity Education Officer, with players from the Irish FA JD Academy.
