Irish Football Association Plans New National Training Centre
The Irish Football Association (IFA) is optimistic about submitting its planning permission for a new National Training Centre next month.
In February, the association announced that the "state-of-the-art" facility will be situated adjacent to the Galgorm Resort, just outside Ballymena.
The centre is projected to open in 2028 and will include world-class pitches and advanced training facilities.
During an update on the project, IFA Chief Operating Officer Graham Fitzpatrick expressed confidence that at least the first phase of the facility will be ready by mid-2028.
"There has been significant effort behind the scenes, with months spent refining our design, working on the master plan, and engaging with stakeholders to prepare for the planning application," Fitzpatrick stated.
"We hope to submit next month, having completed the pre-application notification stage and undergone statutory consultation. In summary, we're on track to submit the planning application next month."
IFA Confident in Delivering Phase One Without Northern Ireland Football Fund
Fitzpatrick provided a brief overview of the timeline ahead, indicating that after the planning permission submission in January, council approval is expected by the end of 2026.
The focus in 2027 will shift to procurement and construction, with the aim of having the facility operational by mid-2028. However, Fitzpatrick noted that it may still be too much of a construction site to serve as a training base for Euro 2028.
While the costs of the phased project remain undisclosed, Fitzpatrick explained that funding will come from three primary sources: the IFA, FIFA Forward, and UEFA Hat-Trick schemes, as well as the Northern Ireland Football Fund.
The long-awaited Northern Ireland Football Fund is primarily for clubs in Northern Ireland, but a portion has been allocated for the National Training Centre, according to Fitzpatrick.
"The first source is our own reserves at the Irish FA, which will contribute a portion of the funding," he said. "Additionally, FIFA and UEFA provide member associations with a capital dividend during World Cups and Euros, and we have saved a significant amount from previous cycles for this purpose. Finally, there is a dedicated strand within the Northern Ireland Football Fund for the National Training Centre, and we are collaborating with the Department for Communities to access part of that fund for this project as well."
In October, Crusaders and Derry City announced they would initiate legal proceedings following the rejection of their bids to advance to the next stage of the Northern Ireland Football Fund's application process.
Fitzpatrick reassured that these legal actions would not delay the release of funds, as the clubs will receive funding from a different source than the IFA.
However, he acknowledged that the IFA relies on timely access to the Northern Ireland Football Fund to complete all three phases of the project.
"We understand that the situation with the clubs does not impact the strand of the Northern Ireland Football Fund related to the National Football Centre, so from our perspective, it’s business as usual," he stated.
"We have phased the project, and we will deliver phase one, which primarily includes the showcase training building with facilities and two elite-standard pitches. This will meet some of our needs for senior teams, and this phase will be funded through our own resources. We are confident we will deliver it without the Northern Ireland Football Fund, although it will support us in phase two, expanding into a national facility."
National Training Centre 'Can't Come Soon Enough' - Hughes
IFA Technical Director Aaron Hughes emphasized that having the facility operational for both senior men's and women's teams by 2028 is a "realistic outcome" and that it "can't come soon enough."
The former Northern Ireland defender, who has 112 caps, mentioned his involvement in the football aspects of the venue's design.
"I've dedicated significant effort to the details of the building, including the layout of changing rooms, gym facilities, and other components," he explained. "We are working within a budget and must adhere to those parameters while creating the best facility that meets all our needs. It's exciting to see the project taking shape, as the designs and animations begin to come to life."