Hughes expects training centre to have 'huge' impact

Irish Football Association technical director Aaron Hughes has said the newly announced National Training Centre could make a "huge" difference in developing the country's next generation.

On Wednesday, the IFA confirmed plans to build a new facility on a 50-acre site in Galgorm, near Ballymena.

Having found a location for the facility, Hughes says it marks the "first step" in a new journey for Northern Irish football.

"As a young player coming through, if you had something like this, you'd want to come and train at it, you'd want to be a part of it," said Hughes.

"You'd feel you'd be able to follow in the footsteps of the players ahead. I think last year, when our under-17s were in St George's in the elite rounds, the England senior team were staying there at the same time."

Former Northern Ireland captain Hughes, who was appointed IFA technical director in late 2022, added: "For our young players to be able to train and perform alongside the senior players and maybe create opportunities like that, it's what we've been missing for so long."

Subject to planning permission, the IFA hopes to have up to six training pitches at the new facility, one of which would be covered, in addition to treatment rooms and meeting rooms.

For Hughes, having a settled base for their teams will mean greater control and far fewer logistical headaches.

"It's a constant struggle we have at the moment, finding facilities," added the former Newcastle and Fulham defender.

"If you want to start with our senior teams, you're trying to find facilities that are adequate for high performance and it's not always easy.

"Even trying to find slots for training, borrowing off other people and using their facility and you're always having to work around the logistical side of it, even from the point of view of the travel time.

"There are so many logistical details that we'll solve by having it all onsite."

IFA director of women's football Angela Platt hailed Wednesday's announcement as a "milestone moment" for Northern Irish football.

She added that the National Training Centre will be particularly beneficial for the women's teams who have been "living a nomadic existence".

"The live example is the recent international camp where our women's team had to locate to Leicester to prepare in those elite facilities.

"From our perspective, we want to make sure we're locating ourselves in Northern Ireland and actually preparing the best we can.

"It's going to make a huge difference to our pathaway. Under one roof, somewhere we all belong in terms of that international experience. Elite facilities for our players and inspiring the next generation to want to put on the green jersey."

Platt hopes that having a recognised base with top facilities will help Northern Ireland to stay competitive with the nations they are facing in matches.

"I've travelled a huge amount during my time with the IFA - I see other nations with good class facilities and I see the progress those nations are making, and we're competing with them.

"It's vital for the women's game. It's something we've never had - to train at a good facility. It should bring another dimension to our game."