Northern Ireland women will wear a new EE-sponsored kit in Tuesday night’s crucial World Cup qualifier with England at Windsor Park.
It is part of a new partnership between the Irish FA and EE who have been confirmed as lead partner of the international women’s team ahead of this summer’s Euro 2022 finals.
Crucially, the new arrangement also includes an investment by EE to support 200 women becoming accredited football coaches over the next two years.
Read more: NI goalkeeper hailed for making ‘as good a save as you’ll see’ in Shrimps survival bid
It is the latest stage of BT’s long-term partnership with the Irish FA - as well as with the football associations of England, Wales and Scotland - to use technology and innovation to help change the lives of millions of players, coaches and fans.
Pete Jeavons, Marketing Communications Director at BT, said: “EE is incredibly proud to become the new lead partner for the Northern Ireland senior women’s football team and we look forward to supporting an exciting period for the game in Northern Ireland.
“Our new commitment to supporting 200 aspiring football coaches in Northern Ireland will complement BT Group’s long-term partnership with the Irish Football Association to upskill players, coaches and fans by using our technology and joint resources.”
EE and the Irish FA will provide bursaries for 100 women per year over the next two years to achieve the IFA’s National Coaching Certificate (NCC), an initiative that will prepare a new generation of women to facilitate and organise coaching sessions.
This represents a 25 percent increase on last year’s cohort of NCC coaches.
The course includes workshops on first aid, nutrition and an online safeguarding course and more details on how to apply will be announced in due course.
Welcoming the announcement, Angela Platt, the Irish FA’s Director of Women’s Football, said “interest in the women’s and girls’ game in Northern Ireland has never been higher”.
She added: “The introduction of 200 EE coaching bursaries for women as part of this deal demonstrates the appetite we have, along with our new partners at EE, in improving the gender representation across our coaching network.
“It also maximises the success of the senior women’s team by translating it into opportunities both on and off the pitch in other parts of the game.”
Through its 4-3-3 strategy, BT Group is committed to projects spanning disability, grassroots and women’s football in the local community.
The partnership has already benefited communities across Northern Ireland.
In February BT, with non-profit organisation Cybersmile and the IFA, launched an online education platform for young people designed to tackle online bullying.
It can be found at: cybersmileeducation.org/cat/roadshow
The new partnership will also contribute towards BT’s Skills for Tomorrow target to provide 25 million people with the skills they need to make the most of life in the digital world.
In line with BT’s purpose to Connect for Good, the new ambition aims to help more people across the UK have the skills they need to stay connected, tackle the digital divide and support the UK’s economic recovery.
EE runs the UK’s biggest and fastest mobile network, offering superfast connections in more places than any other operator.
Windsor Park will also carry EE branding for Tuesday night’s World Cup qualifier with England, with a sellout crowd expected for the game.
Read more: Linfield maintain one point lead over Reds in fascinating title race
Read more: Glentoran boss Mick McDermott: Arbitration decision not aimed at irritating other clubs
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
