Jack selected for Club NI

Jack, a pupil at Wallace High, is a Man United fan who plays for Loughgall U16s and his mum, Elaine, spotted the initiative on Facebook, setting him on his path.

The Irish Football Association and leading sports fashion retailer JD were offering children at under 13, 14 and 15 levels the chance to become part of Club NI via a social media and in-store campaign.

The aim of the initiative was to uncover young talent with the potential to represent Northern Ireland at future World Cups and European Championships.

Following extensive trials, striker Jack, aged 14, earned a place on the Club NI programme along with Lewis Brown, a 13-year-old goalkeeper from Carrickfergus, 12-year-old defender/midfielder Chris Colhoun, who lives in Derry-Londonderry and Vicky Saldanha (aged 14, from Dungannon).

Initially 600 kids attended trials in Belfast, Omagh, Derry-Londonderry and Newry. From there 30 were selected to attend a three-day residential at Queen’s University led by experienced Irish FA coaches.

Following the residential a squad of 18 players was chosen to play against a team made up of current Club NI squad members – that game was staged at Seaview last week – and five of those trialists have now been chosen to enter the Irish FA elite programme.

Jim Magilton, the Irish FA’s Elite Performance Director, said: “The initiative has been a huge success. This excellent concept from JD has given us an opportunity to look at 600 boys across Northern Ireland who would not have been on our radar.

“It has also given the young people an opportunity to work with our coaches and we hope that they have all had a wonderful experience.”

Jim said the trial game at Seaview was the highlight of the process. “The successful boys acquitted themselves really well. Their ability, attitude and application shone through,” he explained.

The winners will now enter into Club NI where they will receive regular coaching and be continually assessed along with other boys on the programme who are considered to be the best players in the country in their respective age groups.

Jim added: “Through increased contact time we aim to improve them as players.

“These lucky boys could go on to represent Northern Ireland at under-age level for starters. And hopefully we may have unearthed a future senior international or two”

The Irish FA is hoping the JD-backed initiative will be repeated in years to come”

CLUB NI

The new IFA Elite Programme has been branded CLUB NI.

The programme aims to prepare our young players for the professional game and ultimately representing Northern Ireland at Senior International level.

The new strategy for player development ties in with the new corporate strategy with the aim of qualifying for a major tournament. http://www.irishfa.com/ifa-international/club-ni