In a major step toward transforming youth football in Northern Ireland, the Irish Football Association (IFA) has recently launched its new Youth Football Framework.
This initiative, years in the making, promises to reshape the way young players engage with the sport, ensuring that every child, regardless of their ability, can thrive in a supportive and developmentally appropriate environment.
At the heart of this initiative is the comprehensive research led by Dr. Kyle Ferguson from the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences at Ulster University.
Dr. Ferguson’s work, conducted over a year-long process of consultation and analysis, formed the backbone of the framework, making it a vital example of how academic research can contribute to practical impact.
Ulster University’s involvement also underscores the strong partnership between the institution and the IFA, combining research excellence with practical insights to create a forward-thinking blueprint for youth football.
The Youth Football Framework is not just a set of guidelines but a holistic approach designed to foster both enjoyment and technical skill development for young players.
It is underpinned by four core pillars: Game, Education, Environment, and Governance.
This structure ensures that the needs of players are met at every level, from the quality of coaching and playing facilities to the role of parents and referees.
James Thompson, Director of Foundation at the IFA, emphasised the importance of this framework in creating a unified vision for youth football across Northern Ireland:
“We are extremely excited to launch the Youth Football Framework.
"The framework covers all elements of youth football, from coaches and parents, the performance and everyday game, to the environment in which the game is played, including pitches, equipment and nets. We are committed to moving all of youth football across Northern Ireland forward together.”
The framework aims to create a supportive and productive playing environment for children and young people, and gives coaches, referees, parents and supporters a key role in making that happen. Through the framework, all games at youth level will be tailored to players’ stage of development.
The Director of Foundation further explained:
“The young player is the core reason behind every component of the framework. The framework will align and provide further consistency to youth football in Northern Ireland, applying the same rules and adopting the same guidance for parents and coaches.
“Together with clubs, youth leagues and key partners we are going to revolutionise youth football in Northern Ireland.”
Aaron Hughes, the IFA’s Technical Director, summed up the framework’s goal: to attract more children to the sport, keep them playing longer, and develop technically gifted players who can succeed on the global stage:
“It’s a comprehensive effort to ensure football remains a source of enjoyment, learning and camaraderie for our young players.”
The youth review which led to the creation of the framework consisted of four phases over a 12-month period. During each phase research and consultation was independently led by Ulster University.
What makes this framework truly groundbreaking is its collaborative nature. Over 150 clubs and a wide range of stakeholders - including coaches, parents, teachers, and referees - contributed to its creation. More than 250 hours of consultation ensured that the voices of those on the ground were heard, through focus groups, and technical and governance steering groups, resulting in a framework that is both ambitious and grounded in the lived experiences of the Northern Ireland youth football community.
Dr. Kyle Ferguson highlighted how this initiative builds upon the existing educational relationship between Ulster University and the IFA, combining global best practices with local insights to create a model that truly prioritises the development of young players.
Kyle commented:
“The result is a framework which prioritises the development of children and young people in football, while recognising the work on the ground to provide clarity of purpose and define roles and responsibilities for stakeholders.”
An important feature of the framework is its commitment to ongoing evaluation. The IFA and Ulster University have developed a measurement model to assess its impact over time, ensuring that the framework continues to evolve and meet the needs of young players and coaches as the football landscape changes.
This initiative marks a significant milestone for youth football in Northern Ireland. Through a combination of academic research, grassroots input and forward-thinking policy, the IFA and Ulster University have set a new standard for how football should be played and experienced by young people.