Gerard Lawlor keen to 'reshape the future' as NIFL look to increase female representation in football
Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) CEO Gerard Lawlor wants to “reshape the future” and drive an increased involvement of women across the Irish League.
On Thursday evening, NIFL hosted an event at Stormont in partnership with Women in Football (WIF) to champion greater female representation.
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.
Last season was a record-breaking one for women’s football in Northern Ireland with the League Cup final between Cliftonville and Glentoran at Seaview attracting the biggest crowd ever recorded for a women’s match in NIFL history.
Louise Thompson created history in January 2025 by becoming the first female to officiate a men’s Premiership match and has been a regular in the middle this term, taking charge of 12 league fixtures alongside Irish Cup and League Cup assignments.
However, NIFL have reported that female representation away from the pitch remains low and are determined to improve that.
“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,” said Lawlor. “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.”
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.”