History

Women's Football in Northern Ireland has been in existence since 1977 under the administration of the Northern Ireland Women's Football Association, an affiliate of the Irish Football Association. Today, approximately 700 players over the age of 14 compete in a six division summer league comprising 45 teams, which runs from the start of May to the end of August. The champions of the Premier League go on to represent Northern Ireland on the European scene by competing in the UEFA Club Championships.

Club Football

The Carnegie sponsored NIWFA leagues are divided into 6 separate divisions - The Premier League (8 teams), National League (7 teams), Intermediate A (8 teams), Intermediate B (8 teams), Intermediate C (8 teams) and Intermediate D (4 teams).

League winners from each regional division battle it out each year in a play-off which sees one team being promoted to the top flight to replace the last placed Premier League team.

Junior Football

At junior level there is a growing base of players. Through the creation of leagues in schools and the establishment of playing structures, this groundswell of young girls will be given the opportunity to continue into the higher echelons of the game, limited only by their ability and desire.

International Football

On the International scene, development of the game is sprouting from the junior levels, with representative teams at U15, U17 and U19 levels. The U19 team have progressed steadily, with qualification into the second qualifying round of the UEFA U19 Championships to be played at the end of April 2005 being their latest impressive achievement.