The Necessity of an Under-23s Team for Northern Ireland Women’s Football

Northern Ireland did not secure qualification for consecutive European Championships, following a 7-0 aggregate loss to Norway in the play-off final. “We need something to bridge the gap between under-19s and senior football,” stated Julie Nelson, Northern Ireland women’s record cap holder, after Tanya Oxtoby’s team was unsuccessful in its attempt to qualify for next year’s Euros in Switzerland. The team suffered a 7-0 aggregate defeat against two-time champions Norway during the play-offs. Nelson, a defender for Crusaders, was questioned about various aspects requiring attention to enable Northern Ireland to consistently qualify for major tournaments. While she highlighted the necessity for investment “across the game,” she also proposed the creation of an additional age-group team, citing the significant transition from under-19 to senior level. She remarked, “There are a lot of players now, once they finish under-19s football they’re maybe not getting the chance to get exposure again into the international squad.” This raises the question of whether Northern Ireland requires an under-23s team to enhance its competitiveness against leading international sides. Northern Ireland can observe the advantages of establishing an under-23s team, which could support player development and better prepare athletes for progression to senior international football, without needing to look far. England, the reigning European champions, has maintained an under-23s squad for two years, following a reorganization of its age-group teams. This initiative was partly spearheaded by Sarina Wiegman upon her appointment as manager in 2021. The squad currently competes in a U23 European League, a competitive competition that commenced in September 2023. This league included national teams such as Belgium, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden, providing the Lionesses with opportunities to compete against some of the world’s top young players in structured matches. England concluded the inaugural season of the competition last year undefeated, though the structure has been modified for the 2024-25 campaign to incorporate a group stage, semi-finals, and a final, similar to the Women’s Nations League. Considering Northern Ireland’s infrequent qualification for youth-level tournaments, unlike some of the previously mentioned European U23 teams, their initial involvement would probably consist of friendlies and invitational tournaments. This approach, however, would still provide valuable international football exposure for players aged 19 and above who have not yet reached the senior squad, a situation they currently encounter, and also facilitate tactical experimentation. Several players who participated in England’s under-23s squads have subsequently advanced to the senior team. Grace Clinton, a Manchester United midfielder, stands out as arguably the most significant success, having scored three goals in five appearances since her promotion. In England, Aggie Beever-Jones, Katie Robinson, Maya Le Tissier, and Jess Park have also made this transition, with Laura Blindkilde Brown and Ruby Mace being the most recent to step up, having debuted in England’s 1-0 victory over Switzerland earlier this month. Conversely, Oxtoby has selected only two players from Northern Ireland’s recent group who have progressed from the under-19 setup. Linfield defender Abi Sweetlove participated in training with the squad prior to October’s play-off first round second leg against Croatia, necessitated by a defensive injury crisis, but did not make her debut. Northern Ireland’s notable success story is 19-year-old Keri Halliday, who has impressed with her dynamic midfield performances across her 10 caps to date. Oxtoby has expressed a desire to cultivate a deeper pool of players, and an under-23s team would enable her to more effectively evaluate domestically based players and their readiness for promotion. Scotland represents another nearby nation with an under-23 squad, though their match schedule is less frequent, having played only five friendlies in the last two years, with two of those occurring earlier this year. Similar to Northern Ireland, neither Wales nor the Republic of Ireland currently maintains an under-23 squad. Nevertheless, Republic boss Eileen Gleeson indicated earlier this year, external, that the Football Association of Ireland [FAI] has formulated plans to back the establishment of such a squad, although a specific timeline for its introduction was not provided. Beyond player development, the introduction of this new age group for England has also provided an opportunity for young coaches to acquire valuable experience. Retired midfielder Remi Allen, former England international Anita Asante, and ex-Aston Villa boss Gemma Davies are members of boss Emma Coates’ coaching staff. On Wednesday, Angela Platt, the Irish FA director of women’s football, confirmed that the association intends to unveil a women’s and girls’ football strategy in early 2025, and it remains to be seen if an under-23s team will be included in its objectives. For England, this initiative has proven to be a significant success, effectively bridging a developmental gap, fostering player growth in competitive settings, and expanding the available talent pool. This model is one that Northern Ireland could consider adopting in its efforts to achieve consistent qualification for major tournaments.