Last updated : Tuesday, 16 April 2024
Introduction
The NIFL Youth League is a football league for young players in Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1995 and is run by the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL). The league is divided into four age groups: Under-12, Under-14, Under-16, and Under-18.
The NIFL Youth League is designed to provide young players with a competitive environment to develop their skills and knowledge of the game. The league also aims to promote sportsmanship and fair play.
Structure
The NIFL Youth League is divided into two divisions: Premier Division and First Division. The Premier Division is the top division, and the First Division is the second division.
Each division is further divided into regional groups. The regional groups are:
- Antrim and Down
- Armagh, Tyrone, and Fermanagh
- Derry and Londonderry
- Mid Ulster
The teams in each regional group play each other home and away. The top teams in each regional group qualify for the playoffs. The winners of the playoffs are the champions of the NIFL Youth League.
Current Season
The current season of the NIFL Youth League is the 2022/23 season. The Premier Division champions are Linfield Rangers, and the First Division champions are Glentoran.
The current season is also the first season that the NIFL Youth League has been affiliated with the Irish Football Association (IFA). The affiliation means that the NIFL Youth League is now part of the IFA's national football development pathway.
