Northern Ireland women's record cap holder Julie Nelson says investment is needed "across the game" to help drive the team forward, adding "it's almost an impossible task" to match the top nations.
On Wednesday, Irish FA director of women's football Angela Platt confirmed the association will launch a women's and girls' football strategy in early 2025 with the senior team next in action in the Nations League in February. "We need something to bridge the gap between under-19s and senior football," said Nelson, who scored NI's only goal at Euro 2022.
"We need to bridge the gap here in Northern Ireland to get more players the opportunity, firstly to try and get moves across the water and secondly to be involved with the international squad going forward." "There's been a lot of talk about the young players who have been introduced into the group. There's been a lot of experience lost out of the squad," added Nelson.