The Football Association of Ireland hosted the first ever pilot session of the new Young Leaders Forum in Tallaght Stadium where a passionate and inspiring group of young people were brought together from around the country.

The 14 attendees, aged between 15 and 18, represented a diverse mix of voices involved in Irish football, from players and volunteers to League of Ireland fans and Grassroots advocates. There was an energy and enthusiasm in the room that reflected a shared ambition to help shape the future of the game. 

The session was facilitated by Dermot O’Brien, Youth Facilitator and Supporter Liaison Officer at Bray Wanderers, who led an engaging and interactive day focused on co-creating the future structure and purpose of the Forum. 

The group explored key questions around what the Young Leaders Forum is, why it was created, and how it should work in practice. Through group activities and creative exercises, participants shared their expectations, values, and ideas for building a space that represents young people in football authentically and meaningfully. 

In the second half of the day, the focus shifted towards the wider work of the FAI. The group were introduced to some of the key development areas of the Association; including facilities, club and player development, League of Ireland, women and girls’ football, digital technologies, EDI, and EURO 2028; and were invited to reflect on where they believe young voices can have the biggest impact. 

From tackling inclusion and access, to improving club experiences and strengthening youth engagement in national strategies, participants offered thoughtful and forward-looking contributions on how young people can help shape the future of Irish football. 

It was a thoroughly engaging first session, full of ideas, energy, and connection. It also marked the beginning of a longer journey, with the group set to link up again for a follow-up session to prioritise initiatives and explore how their contributions can feed into future planning. ​​​​​​