Northern Ireland Women v England (12/04/2021)

amassing 75 caps in the process, after playing hockey, football , athletics and badminton at youth international level . She further pointed out : “I have been blessed and am privileged to have enjoyed a career in sport , both as a player and as an administrator. I have had the pleasure of meeting and being inspired by so many great people doing amazing work and using the power of sport to provide a better future for people in Northern Ireland. “It is an honour to be the first Director of Women’s Football with the Irish FA. I am enjoying the role and being inspired by the many people playing their part at all levels of the game - in schools, clubs and communities - to create greater opportunities for girls and women in football .” The Director of Women’s Football also welcomed the full-time training programme which has been established by the Irish FA for 22 members of the Northern Ireland senior women’s squad ahead of UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 in England this summer. She said: “The investment in the full- time programme is already making a big difference in the preparation of the squad ahead of this summer’s Euros. “The players and staff have settled in well to the daily training and recovery schedule. The programme is enabling players to focus on football without having to juggle commitments of work or studying. “Newforge (in south Belfast) has been an excellent venue for the squad to be based and everything they need is at one facility.” Platt believes tonight’s game against England is another milestone in the journey for women’s and girls’ football in Northern Ireland.

“It’s a moment of history for our gamechangers playing in our National Stadium in front of the biggest crowd we will have at a women’s international match in the modern era,” she said. “It’s an exciting opportunity for the players to continue to inspire our fans and an opportunity for us to also recognise the great work so many people are doing throughout Northern Ireland to grow our game.” While there is naturally a focus on the Women’s Euros just now, the Director of Women’s Football is also looking to the future. She pointed out : “Our pathway programmes continue to support the development of our young players to be future senior internationals. They are inspired by the role models we have in our senior women’s squad and are working towards their own dream of playing for Northern Ireland in the future.” The Director of Women’s Football insists it is an exciting time for Northern Ireland women’s football and the talent involved in the association’s pathway programmes is inspiring and the future is bright . She further said: “We are grateful for the support from our partners in the Department for Communities to enable us to do greater outreach work with new communities throughout Northern Ireland to increase the profile of women’s and girls’ football as well as provide a legacy for future generations to get involved and stay involved in football . “DfC’s support has also enabled us to recognise the trailblazers who have paved the way and have played a huge part in where women’s and girls’ football is today. We have so much to look forward to in the future.”

IRISHFA.COM

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