Soccer

Irish FA teams up with EE to provide new opportunities in women's football

EE is pledging new investment with the Irish Football Association over the next two years to support 200 women in becoming accredited football coaches.

The initiative is part of a wider new partnership through which EE, the BT-owned mobile and broadband network, is confirmed as the lead partner of the Northern Ireland senior women's team ahead of UEFA Women's Euro 2022.

Northern Ireland's FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 qualifier against England Women tomorrow (12 April) in Belfast will see the team don new EE-sponsored kit for the first time. In addition the England team will be wearing EE-sponsored kit, while the stadium will be carrying EE branding.

Angela Platt, the Irish FA's Director of Women's Football, said: "We are delighted to welcome EE as the lead partner of the Northern Ireland senior women's team.

"Interest in the women's and girls' game in Northern Ireland has never been higher and the introduction of 200 EE coaching bursaries for women as part of this dealdemonstrates the appetite we have, along with our new partners at EE, in improving the gender representation across our coaching network and maximising the success of the senior women's team by translating it into opportunities both on and off the pitch in other parts of the game."

Under the initiative announced today EE and the Irish FA will provide bursaries for 100 women per year over the next two years – 200 in total - to achieve the Irish FA's National Coaching Certificate (NCC), preparing a new generation of women to facilitate and organise coaching sessions.

The partnership will provide bursaries for 100 women per year over the next two years – 200 in total - to achieve the Irish FA's National Coaching Certificate (NCC), preparing a new generation of women to facilitate and organise coaching sessions. This represents a 25% increase on last year's cohort of NCC coaches.

The Irish FA National Coaching Certificate prepares coaches to facilitate and organise coaching sessions within the grassroots game. The course also includes workshops on first aid, nutrition and an online safeguarding course. It welcomes aspiring coaches from all backgrounds in line with the Irish FA's Football for All ethos. More details about the bursaries including how to apply will be announced in due course.

Pete Jeavons, Marketing Communications Director at BT, said: "EE is incredibly proud to become the new lead partner for the Northern Ireland senior women's football team - we look forward to supporting an exciting period for the game in Northern Ireland.

"Our new commitment to supporting 200 aspiring football coaches in Northern Ireland will complement BT Group's long-term partnership with the Irish Football Association to upskill players, coaches and fans by using our technology and joint resources."