A new generation of aspiring female football coaches will receive bursaries to undergo the Irish FA’s National Coaching Certificate (NCC) as part of a groundbreaking new programme supported by EE, the Northern Ireland senior women’s team lead partner.
Under the initiative EE and the Irish FA are providing bursaries for 100 women per year over the next two years. Rollout commenced this summer at the New Blanchflower Stadium in east Belfast and with a course in Coleraine coming in September with more to follow. The bursaries will represent a 25% increase on last year’s cohort of NCC coaches.
The programme is part of the partnership which has seen EE become the lead partner of the Northern Ireland senior women’s team ahead of UEFA Women’s Euro 2022.
The NCC provides theoretical and practical content with a tutor plus online modules that aim to develop coaching session plans, first aid, nutrition and safeguarding.
Through the programme the Irish FA and EE are also aiming to harness the current success of the Northern Ireland senior women’s team, creating a legacy programme that will support the development of the girls’ and women's game here.
To apply for a WNNC bursary applicants must be female, based in Northern Ireland, aged 16 or older, either coach and/or play at a girls’ or women’s club and be willing to undertake all elements of the course.
The course based at the New Blanchflower Stadium, the home of Harland and Wolff Welders, will be staged online and via practical sessions between 28 June and 24 July, while the course at Ballysally Community Centre in Coleraine is running online and on set days during September.
If you would like to register your interest for an EE WNCC Bursary please click here
For further information contact Clare Carson at clare.carson@irishfa.com.
The bursaries form part of EE’s long-term partnership with the Irish FA - as well as with the football associations of England, Wales and Scotland - to leave a lasting legacy for grassroots, women’s and disability football and support millions of players, coaches and fans across the UK.
Angela Platt, the Irish FA’s Director of Women’s Football, said: “The introduction of the EE coaching bursaries for women demonstrates the appetite we have, along with our 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.”
Pete Jeavons, Marketing Communications Director at EE, said: “EE is incredibly proud to continue supporting the next generation of female football coaches in Northern Ireland with the Irish Football Association’s National Coaching Certificate bursary programme.
“As part of EE becoming the lead partner for the Northern Ireland’s Women’s football team, our commitment is to support 200 aspiring female football coaches. This complements EE's long-term partnership with the Irish Football Association to upskill players, coaches and fans by using our technology and joint resources.'
Details of further courses available via the bursary programme will be announced in the coming months.
