The Northern Ireland 2007 World Cup campaign concluded with a miserable draw away to Kachachstan, incidently that countrys their first point in the competition, on Saturday 17th June, effectively killing off Northern Ireland's chances of qualification in the World Cup Finals until at best, eight years from now - 2015.
Northern Ireland, like the other eleven teams in tier two of the competition could not qualify for the World Cup in 2007. The twelve teams in tier two instead fought it out to gain one of the five elusive play-off positions to gain promotion to tier one, with the ultimate goal of competing in the 2009 European Championships.
So, no real chance of qualification this year - understandably in consideration that it was the first year that the IFA were represented at the finals - the only glimmer of hope was possible progression into tier two and a more tangible hope in 2011 - but sadly Northern Ireland, finished 3rd in a group of 4 - remaining in tier two - so have, in effect, cancelled out that one possibility.
In reality, the first possible chance of qualification would be in 2015. This is all speculation - but never the less an accurate one - it could be some 16 years before the Northern Ireland womens senior team could gain qualification in to the World Cup finals at all.
This comes as no real surprise - and not that this will linger in the minds of the hundreds of summer league warriors of the local game, many of whom would be completely unaware that Northern Ireland even had a Senior Ladies team - or would have ever even heard of the Womens World Cup for that matter - and to be frank - most local ladies clubs - couldn’t care less.
Clubs might however, through an interested glance over the final balance of expenditure for competing this year, still to confirmed in the IFA balance sheet, and when one considers the massive overall bill for this years inclusion in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers is set to reach way up into several hundreds of thousands pounds - a club secretary here and there, could just ponder and ask a few pointed and reasoned questions as to whether this money was well spent, or just spent for the sake of it!
It’s fair to say that the IFA have embraced womens football because of the global growth of the sports in world football, most football association’s have moved with the changing attitude’s of a modern society, which reflects quite rightly parity and sport for all - equality is now a fundamental right for women’s football across the planet and particularly in Northern Ireland, where its emergence is light years behind it’s cross channel partners - reflected at all levels in Northern Ireland.
True, it must be argued that at least the IFA is moving in the right direction giving women’s football parity with the mens senior side - and it is the women’s first ever appearance at this level - but in truth, Northern Ireland have not the league structures, coaching platforms or much needed youth development programmes - to seriously challenge other more organised associations - and are merely making up the numbers. It’s early days - but never the less very important ones. Northern Ireland Seniors are rated 79th in the World at the moment, although beneath, respectfully, the Faro Islands.
Looking closely at this year’s squad, the league structure’s, rules, regulations and membership of the rank and file of the governing body - the Northern Ireland Womens Football Association - it would be fair to marvel that Northern Ireland actually considered putting a team into this competition at all - and although the squad did the country very proud and have to be warmly applauded for their efforts - the current senior team is frankly, and sadly, going nowhere fast.
The structures of the success of any organisation, lies in the attention to detail and solid and secure foundations. So, bearing in mind the massive investment this year, and what money has been spent - the reality of the current youth/development, Under 17s, Under 19s Under 21 squad level, leave the Province’s future chances of qualification in major tournaments - not good, not good at all, refer to all above teams up and coming fixtures!.
Where is the foundation of development in the domestic game? i.e.: development of Youth Football, Coaching at local level, promotional of the local game etc. A critical overview of the present structures of the NIWFA, reveals some staggering complacency at all levels the dismal statistics underline the appalling state of the local game.
In 2005 for example - not one division, including the vanguard of the Association the Premier Division (incidently introduced that season for the first time) - had completed all their fixtures - matches remained unplayed, final league tables were unconclusive, and promotion/relegation issues left unattended, rules disregarded, players appoached, disciplinary records non existent and the membership generally uniformed and presumably unsatisfied.
It would be unfair to single out or even criticise the current ruling council - generally, the blood running through the veins of womens football, all volunteers trying to do their best in a sport they all obviously, feel very passionately about - but frankly it time to accept that it is just not good enough. The local game, for the good of the game and for the army of young and enthusiastic young Northern Ireland footballers filtering through the schools and youth clubs, needs to be re-built, with long term youth development, paid officials, rigid governing rules and regulations, thorough scrutiny at all levels - school leagues, an under 16 league, coaching schemes, summer soccer schools, education in relation to child protection, health and safety, proper league’s with annual promotion and relegation battles, etc.
Where do the NIWFA start to get their house in order when generally participating clubs are in some cases, guilty of: blatant complacency, lack of vision, disrespect for rules, regulations, match officials and have only a selfish, self important attitude to relation to every other team in the league.
The only way forward is that the current structures need to be completely abolished, a neutral governing task force be elected, whom have no vested, connected interest in specific clubs, but a general concern about the overall state of the sport. These officers giving the responsibility of enforcing the ethos of ladies football and given the financial resources to bring the whole NIWFA into the 21st century. For a start: how about the IFA funding a qualified coach at every ladies football club in the province?
What do you think?
