LOI Academies trailing lower ranked international competitors in key areas of staffing and contact-hours, new Audit finds
- Crucial gap reported in contact-hours and full-time staff at Clubs compared to international competitors ranked between 51 and 100 in FIFA rankings
- LOI infrastructure is trailing global standards and in need of strategic facility investment
The League of Ireland has welcomed the publication of the Global Findings Report produced from the Double Pass Audit into the LOI Academy system which has shown that the LOI Academy system trails behind countries ranked 51-100 in the Men’s and Women’s FIFA Rankings.
The report highlights significant gaps in contact hours for players and an immediate need for full-time staff at Clubs.
The Audit, funded and supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, and conducted by Belgian specialists Double Pass, shows where our Academy system benchmarks against other nations and provides insights and key recommendations across several areas of the LOI Academy system.
The report provides stark analysis of where our Academies sit in the global football ecosystem while also highlighting the excellent work done by LOI Academies with comparably very limited resources.
Though the report shows the lack of infrastructure that currently exists in our Academies, it also highlights the significant potential that could be harnessed with appropriate funding measures.
The benchmarks and insights include:
- Only 46% of LOI Clubs have a full-time Academy Director compared to 60% of Clubs in FIFA countries ranked 51-100
- Only 4% of LOI Clubs have a full-time Head of Coaching compared to 46% of Clubs in FIFA countries ranked 51-100
- 0% of LOI Clubs have a minimum of 4 full-time Academy Coaches compared to 36% of Clubs in FIFA countries ranked 51-100
- The report highlights the over reliance on volunteer coaches compared to international competitors
- On average, LOI Academy players train at a much lower weekly frequency limiting long-term player development with comparable nations training two sessions per week more than our male and female players at U16 to U21 level
- Absence of female teams below U17 level shows a significant structural gap compared to international standards
- Only 42% of LOI Academies facilitate a workspace for Academy management compared to 66% of Clubs in FIFA countries ranked 51-100 affecting operational capacity
- Indoor facilities are a major issue with only 23% of LOI Academies having access compared to 61–81% in international benchmarks, limiting year-round training options
Amongst the recommendations, Double Pass has issued the following recommendations:
- Establish a Quality Assurance System to classify Academies by development standards
- Introduce a centralised player development platform to support long-term player development through structured analysis
- Invest in training infrastructure to close significant facility gaps
- Create key full-time roles to professionalise talent development and enhance the quality of the Player Pathway
- Implement a dedicated full-time football development and education programme post Junior Cycle
- Advance the Women & Girls Development Pathway by establishing a WU15 squad in all academies to create a more complete pathway
- Limit Player Drop Out Before MU17 by establishing a MU16 squad in all academies to create a more complete pathway
The full Report can be found here.
Mark Scanlon, League of Ireland, Director, said: “As volunteers, players and staff around our LOI Academies dedicate themselves week in week out to their development, the publication of this report is welcomed by the League of Ireland to show the challenges facing our system as we compete internationally in the biggest sport in the world. The recent success in the League of Ireland across attendances, sporting achievements and player development, shows the remarkable work that is done in our Academies every week on extremely limited resources and the excellent work done by Double Pass shows not just the severe shortfalls in our system but the huge potential that lies within Irish football. In order to achieve this potential it’s vital that all stakeholders work together to develop our Academy system. I would like to thank Minister Patrick O’Donovan, Minister Charlie McConalogue, and the Department of Culture, Communications & Sport for their commitment and support to the process and for providing the funding required to complete the audit. I would also like to thank Paul McDermott and Nora Stapleton of Sport Ireland for their guidance and advice and thank Double Pass for their professionalism and diligent work in the delivering of the Report as well as the Clubs for being incredibly open and honest in the Audit.”
Will Clarke, LOI Academy Development Manager, said: “The publication of this Global Findings Report marks an important milestone for Irish football. For the first time, we have a clear, independent assessment of our Academy landscape, measured against international standards and best practice. This is not simply an evaluation of where we are today, but the starting point of a journey that can shape the future of our game. By embracing these findings and working collaboratively, we can build an Academy system that gives every young talented player the best chance to succeed, while strengthening the League of Ireland and, ultimately, the international standing of our senior Men’s & Women’s International Teams. I would like to thank Minister Patrick O’Donovan, Minister Charlie McConalogue, and the Department of Culture, Communications & Sport, for their invaluable support and for providing the funding required to complete the audit. I would like to thank Paul McDermott and Nora Stapleton of Sport Ireland, for their assistance and expertise throughout this process. I also wish to acknowledge the team at Double Pass for their hard work and professionalism, our colleagues in the LOI Department and the FAI, and, most importantly, the Clubs, staff, and stakeholders who contributed so openly and constructively to this process.”
Hans Vander Elst, Double Pass, Senior Partner Director of Football, said: “By acknowledging the findings and recommendations outlined in this report, and initiating robust strategies and structures, Double Pass firmly believes that the Irish talent development eco-system—and the broader football eco-system—can experience significant advancement in the years ahead. Talent development is at the heart of progress; although there is a noticeable gap compared to other nations, we are confident that with visionary leadership and strategic collaboration, much can be accomplished. Drawing from our track record of successful collaborations in various international settings, we at Double Pass are convinced that the right approach will deliver concrete results: specifically, the development of more skilled young players, increased team value for Clubs, and a positive effect on the FIFA rankings of national teams, leading to qualifications for major tournaments. The potential within Irish football is tremendous. By applying these recommendations and committing to purposeful action, Ireland stands ready to close the gap internationally and support a thriving footballing future for generations to come."
