In partnership with Women in Football (WIF), the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) hosted a landmark event at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, on Thursday evening, bringing together female leaders from across the game & wider business sector to champion greater female representation in football.
The event highlighted the current landscape and future ambitions of NIFL in celebrating and supporting women working in football in Northern Ireland, attracting more women into the industry, and driving progress across the sport at all levels.
Through its partnership with Women in Football (WIF), NIFL is empowering women from all backgrounds by providing access to knowledge, expertise, and collective support, helping to create a stronger, brighter, and more diverse future for Local football.
While many speak about the need for change, the Northern Ireland Football League and Women in Football are actively driving it.
Despite the growing professionalism of the women’s game in Northern Ireland, including a female official’s officiating in the men’s Sports Direct Premiership and record-breaking attendances, female representation in off-pitch roles remains low.
That is something NIFL is committed to changing, according to CEO Gerard Lawlor.
“We have many exceptional talented women in this country. Yet we have had to explore, question, and challenge ourselves as to why the female community does not yet see football administration as a space for them,” he said.
“Hopefully, tonight begins a journey to answer that question. Hopefully, it challenges some of you personally. Because as an organisation, we must listen and understand if we are to continue to grow.”
“I genuinely believe that we, and our member clubs, have a great deal to offer: be that employment opportunities, personal development, new skill sets, experience, and a strong sense of community involvement.
“If you’ve ever wondered whether there is a place for you in football leadership, there is. Let’s reshape the future.”
The evening featured a fireside chat with Local Bangor native and Premier League Head of Public Affairs Katie Nixon, before Sky Sports presenter Hayley McQueen hosted an inspiring panel discussion with a powerhouse group of female leaders shaping the modern game.
The panel included Maggie Murphy, Managing Director of Aston Villa Women; Nuria Tarré, Chief Marketing Officer at City Football Group; Yvonne Harrison, CEO of Women in Football; and Regan McFarland, Partnerships and Sales Manager at the Northern Ireland Football League.
The discussion explored leadership, innovation, and inclusion, with insights shared on the evolution of the women’s game both on and off the pitch, and what it takes to drive meaningful change across sport and business.
The evening proved to be a lively and thought-provoking celebration of the people redefining the future of football.
CEO of Women In Football, Yvonne Harrison, added: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Gerard and NIFL for entrusting WIF in supporting the ambition to make the league a more equitable place for women in Northern Ireland.
“Together with Gerard and the league’s different stakeholders, we really look forward to growing our presence and impact in Northern Ireland and playing a key role in supporting women here in the future.”
The partnership also brings exciting new opportunities for women in Northern Ireland interested in careers in football, including the launch of the Women in Football Leadership Course in Belfast in 2026.
You can register to be a Women in Football member for free here.
RECORD-BREAKING SEASON
The most recent female season saw new NIFL league and cup attendance records in 2025, with the VBET Women’s League Cup Final attracting the highest crowd ever recorded for a women’s match in NIFL history.
Beyond the stands, the league’s digital reach also reached unprecedented levels. Across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, content from the Women’s Premiership amassed more than 21 million video views.
Over 4,500 new followers were gained throughout the season, while total post reactions exceeded 212,000, underlining both the growing influence of the league and the passion surrounding the women’s game in Northern Ireland.
Attention now turns to the upcoming Sports Direct NIFL Women’s season, set to kick off in May with the BOYLE Sports League Cup beginning in April. Fixtures will be released soon.
