Game Changers
Electric Ireland, in association with the Irish FA, are the proud sponsor of women’s football across all levels in Northern Ireland working to increase participation, attendance at games and increase media coverage.
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From Grassroots to the Elite, the Game is Changing
At Electric Ireland, we have been proud to power all levels of women’s football in Northern Ireland since 2017. Through creating opportunities for young players in local communities, supporting the training and development of women to plot a path towards roles in leadership, and so much more – the Game is Changing. Let us take you on the journey of how we are helping to Change the Game at all levels in Northern Ireland, from grassroots to the elite.
When you make the team, the team makes you
Our latest phase of the Game Changers campaign explores the theme of resilience and the positive impact that being part of a team can have on teenage girls later in life. Through this campaign we want to spark discussions in homes and classrooms across Northern Ireland around the long-term benefits of playing football for girls.
We want to show young girls that you don’t have to be the best or play to the highest standards to reap the real rewards that come from playing sport and show girls that ultimately when you make the team, whether it’s the firsts or the fifths, the team makes you.
We asked three Northern Ireland players to explain what it means to be part of a team and how it has shaped them, find out what they said.
Supporting the Game at the Grassroots Level in partnership with the Irish FA festival.
Our grassroots support of women’s football in Northern Ireland begins with the fun-filled Electric Ireland Shooting Stars programme. Delivered by Irish FA Foundation staff, the Electric Ireland Shooting Stars programme brings the football action to 15 participation centres across the country, opening up opportunities for girls aged 4-11 to have fun, make friends and learn the fundamentals of football.
Since its launch in 2018, the Electric Ireland Shooting Stars Programme has created over 10,000 participant hours for the next generation of Game Changers.
Electric Ireland’s support stretches to post-primary, too, in the form of the Electric Ireland Super Schools Festival and Schools Cup, which in 2022 launched a Year 8 competition to bring the total number of schools competing for silverware to fifty.
The Electric Ireland Schools’ Cup competitions and year-ending Electric Ireland Super Schools Festival are an exciting showcase of grassroot women’s football on our doorstep.
Check out last year's fun-filled shooting stars festival.
Supporting Local Northern Irish Clubs
Next up on the Game Changers journey, NI’s local clubs. Electric Ireland proudly support the NIWFA (Northern Ireland Women’s Football Association) leagues and, together with the NIFL (Northern Ireland Football League), formed the Electric Ireland Women’s Academy League in 2019 to carve out a clear pathway for the best in under-19 talent to progress to the top division of women’s football in Northern Ireland.
For the 2023 season, sixty teams, including eight new clubs, are competing for silverware demonstrating that interest in women’s football locally continues to grow at an electric pace.
All the club action culminates in the Electric Ireland Women’s Challenge Cup, the premier competition for women’s football teams. Over 2,000 attended 2022’s final held for the first time at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park – a testament to the rising profile of NI’s Game Changers.
Check out last year's electrifying challenge cup final.
Supporting the Game at the International Level
Electric Ireland is proud to have shared in the historic success of the Northern Ireland Senior Ladies team as title sponsor from 2019 to 2022, and remains a key partner to the international team as Energy Partner to Northern Ireland football.
Game Changers turned history makers; the team set out on a journey that would change the course of women’s football in Northern Ireland forever. With hearts on their sleeve and a ball at their feet, the NI Senior Ladies team achieved something truly special in competing in the Women’s Euros 2022.
Electric Ireland remains official energy partner to the women’s game and is committed to supporting its growth in 2023 and beyond through the Game Changers movement. Let’s continue to change the game. Together.
Hear from the Northern Ireland Women's Captain Marissa Callaghan on what it means to be a Game Changer.
Supporting our Game Changers to Lead the Next Generation
Off the pitch, Electric Ireland is actively supporting development of women in key decision-making roles within football.
The Electric Ireland Female Leadership Programme run in partnership with the Irish FA enables women in football who are currently playing or volunteering to plot out a clear path towards roles in leadership. Since 2013, more than 120 graduates have completed the programme to positively impact communities.
New to the programme for the 2022/23 season is the Electric Ireland Elite Leadership Programme, a dynamic seven-month course based on the latest neuroscience, positive psychology and peak performance research.
Developed with the Irish FA and delivered by Reboot, the Elite programme aims to boost progression across top level football roles for women in Northern Ireland.
Through these leadership programmes, the Game Changers movement is creating a pipeline of talent both off and on the pitch.
Learn more about the Electric Ireland Elite Female Leadership Programme here.
#GameChangersNI IFA Colouring Sheets
Looking for a game-changing activity to do at home?
Why not download our free colouring sheets!
We would love to see them! Post a picture and tag us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using #GameChangersNI
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Benefits of playing Sport
Take it from us, sport can be a Game Changer.
Taking part in sport can help us feel fitter, healthier and mentally strong, and that is just the start of it. Sport can also be fun, especially when played as part of a team or with family or friends.
Check out our blog for the top benefits of playing sport.
The Game is Changing
The Game is changing! Women’s football is on a journey and Electric Ireland, in proud partnership with the Irish Football Association are delighted to be part of it!.
#GameChangersNI
