Page 29 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.30 2022-23
P. 29

The FA Board has this week recommended changes to promotion and relegation between Tiers
       2 and 3 of the Women’s Football Pyramid. These changes are subject to ratification by FA Council.
           In  a  significant  shake-up  of  the  existing  structure  which  sees  one  team  promoted  and
       relegated,  The  FA  will  remove  the  requirement  for  the  current  end  of  season  play-off  to
       determine  the  side  promoted  to  the  Barclays  Women's  Championship,  which  takes  place
       between the respective winners of the FA Women’s National League Northern and Southern
       Premier Divisions.
           Instead,  both  FA  Women’s  National  League  Premier  Division  title  winners  will  be
       rewarded for their success with promotion, with two clubs in turn being relegated from the
       Barclays Women's Championship. The changes will come into effect from the 2023-24 season.
           The structural change will not impact the Barclays Women’s Super League and the existing
       system for promotion and relegation to and from the Barclays Women's Championship.


       Former Northern Ireland international and experienced coach Danielle McDowell Tuffey has
       been appointed as the Irish FA’s first Girls’ Elite Youth Academy Manager.
       In  the  role  McDowell  Tuffey  will  lead  the  association’s  girls’  elite  player  talent  ID  and
       development programmes (up to age 16).
           She will be responsible for sourcing, recruiting, training and the retention of youth players
       for national Under-15 and U16 development squads at elite international level, and preparing
       these girls for life as future senior internationals/professional footballers.
           McDowell Tuffey, who is currently Women’s Football Development Officer at the Irish FA,
       brings a wealth of both coaching and playing experience to the new role.
           She said: “I can’t wait to get started. I am immensely passionate about youth development
       and guiding young players to fulfil their footballing potential.
           “I  have  myself  progressed  through  the  Irish  FA  youth  international  pathway  to  senior
       international as a player, so I know what it takes.”
           For the past 17 years she has coached and managed in boys’ and girls’ youth football, within
       youth excellence programmes and within senior women’s football. She is currently studying for
       the UEFA Pro Licence.
           Since 2012 McDowell Tuffey has been head of development at Crusaders’ Girls’ Academy.
       And she has been first team coach with NIFL Women’s Premiership side Crusaders Strikers
       since 2021. However, she will be leaving her roles with the Crues to take up her new post with
       the Irish FA.
           Other  previous  coaching  roles  include  head  coach/co-ordinator  at  the  Irish  FA’s  girls’
       excellence programme within Co Antrim and assistant head coach of the Northern Ireland U15
       girls’ development team.
           Since  2018  she  has  been  head  coach/development  officer  at  the  Irish  FA  Women’s
       Performance Academy based at Ulster University Jordanstown. And that’s another role which
       she will vacate on taking up her new position.
           Angela Platt, Director of Women’s Football at the Irish FA, said: “I am delighted to have
       Danielle appointed to this important new role for the Irish FA's girls’ elite pathway.
           “Danielle comes into the role with great experience in developing players within girls’ and
       women’s  football,  particularly  through  her  time  leading  our  Ulster  University  Performance
       Academy programme.
           “Her experience as a former international player and her coaching knowledge gained from
       several roles in girls’ and women’s football will enable her to establish our new talent ID and
       academy programmes for our girls’ pathway.
           “It is an exciting new role and I look forward to working closely with Danielle to ensure we
       provide the opportunities to identify and develop the future generation of Northern Ireland
       players within our girls’ pathway.”
                                            news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk
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