UEFA and Lidl bringing football to young players in Northern Ireland

The sounds of children enjoying a game of football rang out across the community pitches surrounding Northern Ireland's National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, with the venue providing an inspiring backdrop to the grassroots activity next door.

Around 150 kids were taking part in a showcase event in celebration of the Irish Football Association’s Football in Schools programme, which introduces young people of different ages and backgrounds to football through a range of educational and sporting initiatives.

The collaboration that underpins the grassroots football ecosystem was on full display – alongside the children were coaches, teachers, Irish FA staff and representatives from Football in Schools partner Lidl, with their healthy-eating apple mascot proving especially popular with the young players.

Lidl's mascot Freshie helped kids understand the importance of healthy lifestyle choices

A commitment to football for all

Providing equal access to football for all young people was a core focus of the day, aligned with the Irish FA’s ongoing commitment to creating welcoming, accessible and supportive football environments throughout Northern Ireland.

Key elements of the Football in Schools approach include small-sided games that are designed to maximise involvement, increase touches on the ball and ensure an enjoyable experience for every player.

A series of skill stations trained technical ability while building confidence in a positive, player-centred environment. Elsewhere, a dedicated session focused on increasing girls’ football participation.

"Our aim is to provide opportunities for every young person to engage with football in a way that supports their development," explained Francis Brennan, the Irish FA's school development manager. "Through our programmes in schools, we are creating accessible pathways that connect participation, learning and future opportunities."

Development beyond sport

The event also demonstrated the breadth of Football in Schools initiatives, where national associations across Europe can tailor their approach depending on local needs.

"Football in Schools is about much more than playing the game. It creates opportunities for young people to learn, develop and build confidence, both on and off the pitch," said Stuart Grieve, UEFA player development specialist, summarising the ethos underlying the programme.

Educational sessions also took place inside the the National Football Stadium, which also hosted the UEFA Women's EURO Under-17 final, with the Irish FA showcasing the wider elements of their Football in Schools and youth development approach. These sessions focused on developing programme leaders and highlighting future opportunities in football beyond playing, including coaching, refereeing and other roles within the game.

A healthy snack and hydration station was in place for the children

Lidl, as the official partner of UEFA Football in Schools, supported the event with an engaging activation zone featuring a healthy snack and hydration station, the Lidl Power Shot skill challenge, and appearances from Freshie, Lidl’s mascot, helping reinforce positive messages around conscious nutrition, healthy choices and active lifestyles in a fun and accessible way.

"Sport has the ability to build confidence, self-esteem and resilience in young people," said Gordon Cruikshanks, Lidl Northern Ireland regional managing director. "We were delighted to support local pupils through our international partnership with UEFA Football in Schools. This is a fantastic initiative that complements our existing school programme and further supports our aim to connect young people with sport to encourage confidence and well-being within school communities."