Girl and Women's Football in Northern Ireland

The popularity of girls' and women's football in Northern Ireland is at an all-time high.

With all ages now becoming involved in the game it just shows that anything the boys can do, so can the girls!

Dale Farm is committed to supporting the physical development of all our young people, not just boys. Dairy is an important food for many young girls and can help prevent osteoporosis later in life. The partnership with The IFA and women’s football is a perfect match and we are delighted to be on board.

Dale Farm Player of the Month

Player of the Month March

The Dale Farm player of the month for March 2010 has been awarded to Julie Nelson. The 24 year old defender plays for Crusaders Newtownabbey Strikers as well as representing Northern Ireland in the senior women’s team. Julie Nelson has been in outstanding form lately and has recently featured in the first game of the World Cup qualifying match against. Julie expressed her delighted in winning the award. She said “This has been an exciting month for me first defending against France who are highly ranked in FIFA’s world ranking and now to win this award within the same month is a great privilege and achievement for me.”

Irish FA Senior women’s manager Alfie Wylie added “Julie is a true professional both on and off the pitch and is a great role model for young girls. She is a consistent player who has high fitness levels and outstanding performance on the pitch. I would like to congratulate her on this highly deserved award.”

Dale Farm Team of the Month

Team of Month March

St Colmcille High School have a lot to celebrate this season, not only did their year 8/9 team win the Dale Farm Down Winter League 2009/2010, after a play off with Blackwater Integrated. Their year 10/11 girls came second in their age group in the same league and to top the season off the year 8/9 team have been awarded the Dale Farm Team of the Month for March.

The year 8/9 Dale Farm Down League was very close this season with some thrilling matches. It was however St Comcilles High School and Blackwater Integrated College that dominated the league, the end of the season they were both on joint points. This meant both teams went head to head on a play off. From the start of the game St Comcilles were the stronger side and took the lead with their first goal from Aoife McCann. Rachel Martin then went on to score two further goals for the team, giving the team a victory of 3-0 at the final whistle.

The girls’ school teacher and coach Suzanne McMullan was very pleased with the teams achievements. She said: “I am delighted for the girls who have shown so much dedication and desire to succeed in this competition. For the year 8/9 girls to win is an unbelievable achievement. Our year 10/11 girls also played very well and came second in their age group. The girls’ hard work and effort is now paying off. To win the Dale Farm Team of the Month is the perfect reward for all the girls who played in the tournament.”

Irish FA Women’s Football Assistant Jackie Blyth added “The standard of football in this league has improved so much over the weeks and I am delighted for St Comcille High School. The league was extremely tight and the teams pushed each other all the way. There is such a demand for school leagues throughout Northern Ireland and I would hope that we can deliver on these next year. Once again I would like to thank Dale Farm for their continued support, without which we would not be able to deliver all the events. Their partnership is helping us to put girls and women’s football on the map.”

For more information on girls and women’s football go to www.irishfa.com or email sbooth@irishfa.com. Alternatively call 02890 669458 for more details.

League News Updates

Stay up-to-date with what’s happening throughout the year.

Food for Football

For more information on how a balanced diet can improve performance, download the document below

Food for Football