Northern Ireland v Lithuania (12/11/2021)

FEMALE-ONLY COURSES ARE THRIVING The Irish FA Foundation’s female- only coaching courses are proving to be extremely popular across Northern Ireland.

WORDS : NIGEL T ILSON

Irish FA Foundation Girls Participation Officer Clare Carson explained: “Given the growth of the women’s game in Northern Ireland we know that more people getting involved in a coaching capacity is vital for female clubs. “In delivering five female-only National Coaching Certificate courses over the past 10 months, alongside our Education Officers and Regional Grassroots Development Officers, we have shown we are keen to provide opportunities for females to go in to coaching roles and to support the development of female clubs.” Clare pointed out the rollout of the courses supports the vision within the current Irish Football Association women’s football strategy of growing the game and maximising impact. This year more than 90 new female coaches from over 40 clubs throughout Northern Ireland have been upskilled by completing female-only NCC courses, she added. Gail Redmond, the Irish FA Foundation’s development manager for women’s football, is delighted with the uptake on the courses.

This year has seen the biggest uptake to date for courses where only women and girls take part. Five female-only National Coaching Certificate (formerly Level 1) courses have been staged so far – and that’s a new record. In the early part of 2021 three courses were run under strict Covid protocols, which meant there had to be a blended approach to their delivery. There were virtual settings for the theory elements of the courses, with practical sessions taking place a few months later, followed by further practical sessions in August held at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park over a three-day period. More recently NCC courses for women and girls were delivered at Crewe United’s ground in Glenavy, Co Antrim, in September (24 participants) and the Bawnacre Centre in Irvinestown, Co Fermanagh, in October (18 participants) .

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