Page 20 - Womwn's Soccer Scene Issue No.13 2022-23

The 2022 graduation ceremony for the Female Football Leadership Programme, which is run by
the Irish FA Foundation and sponsored by Electric Ireland, was staged at the National Football
Stadium at Windsor Park at the start of December.
Twenty graduates from 13 different clubs across Northern Ireland were presented their
certificates by Irish FA President Conrad Kirkwood.
The event was hosted by broadcaster Denise Watson and featured a panel discussion with
Northern Ireland captain Marissa Callaghan and defender Julie Nelson who highlighted the
importance of developing and equipping women for leadership positions within football.
The 2022 edition of the Female Football Leadership Programme, facilitated by Reboot, was
the largest cohort since the launch in 2013 and continues to encourage females who are passionate
about football to develop leadership skills to further impact their clubs.
The Irish FA Foundation Development Manager Gail Redmond acknowledged the increased
interest in the programme: “We are delighted that so many females in sport are pursuing
opportunities to be in prominent positions within their clubs. This programme aims to develop
and upskill them over a 10-month learning period and beyond.
“We have 20 fantastic graduates this year and I look forward to seeing how they influence
their communities for the better.”
The graduates were Ashlene Bustard (Lisburn Rangers Ladies), Carol McCrea (Belfast Swifts
Girls FC), Charlie Bell (Belfast Ladies), Clara Alvarez Alonso (Belfast Ravens FC), Clare Johnston
(Ards Rangers), Gabriella Lowe (LawInSport), Helen Parker (Lisburn Rangers Ladies), Julie
Boyde (Bloomfield FC), Lauren McElkerney (Donegal Celtic), Lauren Reaney (H&W Welders
Girls), Leanne Kerr (1st Bangor Ladies), Louisa Parker (Lisburn Rangers Ladies), Lucinda Love-
Teggarty (Valley Rangers), Noelle McMahon (Armagh City FC), Oonagh Hamill (Belfast Swifts),
Rachel Magill (1st Bangor Ladies), Sarah Forsythe (Valley Rangers Girls Academy), Tori Laverty
(Shorts FC), Kathryn Jemphrey (Ards Rangers Ladies) and Tracey Barritt (Ards Rangers Ladies).
(irishfa.com)

The Channel Islands Inter-Insular Committee is delighted to announce that Close Finance CI has
extended its sponsorship of the Muratti for a period of four years. The agreement with the personal
and business loan firm will cover both the men’s and women’s finals, as well as the men’s
semi-final in Alderney.
Close Finance Managing Director, Kevin Allen said: “The Muratti is a huge part of the
heritage of the Channel Islands and a key event in the sporting calendar of everyone in Jersey,
Guernsey, and Alderney. Close Finance is honoured to extend its sponsorship of this historic event
for the next four years.
“We’re also ecstatic that the new agreement involves both the men’s and the women’s events.
Growth of the women’s Muratti is a long-term objective for the Inter-Insular Committee as well as
the participating Associations, and one which we whole-heartedly support. Diversity in sport is
essential, especially when it comes to showing the younger generation that they can be and do
anything they want. We hope that by helping the women’s game prosper, we can encourage the
next generation of the Islands’ Muratti stars to
think big and pursue their dreams.”
Chris Schofield, Chair of the Channel Islands Inter Insular Committee said: “We are
delighted that Close Finance will be extending the ‘Muratti’ partnership for a further four years,
and particularly so in consideration that this new agreement incorporates both the men’s and
women’s matches. This is another step forward in the work of the Inter-Insular Committee to
support the ongoing growth of the women’s game across the Channel Islands.”
This season’s semi-final will take place in Alderney on Saturday 25 March, where the home
island will take on Jersey. The winners will then play Guernsey on Saturday 13 May at Footes Lane
with the women’s final taking place the following day.
(Source: www.jerseyfa.com)
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