Exciting times for the women’s game in NI: Wylie

WOMEN’S football in Northern Ireland has been given a huge boost by the Electric Ireland Excellence Programme, according to international boss Alfie Wylie.

The programme, which was launched at Ulster University last night, forms part of the Irish FA’s elite Player Pathway for girls and women offering support to emerging talent across the country in Regional Excellence Centres in Belfast, Jordanstown, Limavady and Cookstown.

There is expert training and coaching for young female talent aged 11-15 in the programme which will also provide the girls with nutritional knowledge and work with the families of the players to help create the right environment for them to excel.

With girls selected by the IFA to join the Electric Ireland Programme, the ultimate goal is to create a pathway for players to achieve their full potential. In turn that may help Northern Ireland women’s boss Wylie have more players to choose from.

Wylie said: “It’s a very exciting time for women’s football in Northern Ireland. Electric Ireland’s support has made a significant impact. The 25% increase we’ve seen in participation since the partnership began is only set to rise further.”

IFA Chief Executive Patrick Nelson added: “This will help female footballers who have demonstrated skill and talent to achieve their dream of playing professionally and for some this will be a game changer.”

Clare McAllister, Electric Ireland Residential Manager, said: “We have been encouraged by hundreds of girls aged 4-7-yearsold who, through our Shooting Stars programme, have played 2,000 hours of football between them over the past four months.”