The Glentoran Boys’ Academy is recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s leading youth development programmes, offering a clear pathway from Under-6 to Under-19.
Since its establishment in 2008, the Academy has become a cornerstone of football in East Belfast, combining elite coaching with strong community values to help young players grow as both athletes and individuals.
Led by Head of Player Development Andy Mathieson and Academy Manager Michael Jackson, and supported by a dedicated team of highly qualified coaches and volunteers, the Academy provides a professional environment that blends modern training methods, character development, and player welfare. This collective commitment ensures Glentoran remains at the forefront of youth development in an increasingly competitive Irish League landscape.
The Academy has a proven track record of producing talent for the Glentoran First Team, with current professionals such as Johnny Russell, Charlie Lindsay, Aaron Wightman, and James Douglas progressing through the ranks. It has also become a respected pathway to full-time football across the UK.
In recent years, Joel Kerr earned a move to West Ham United, Rhys Walsh signed for Sunderland, and George Feeney joined Tottenham Hotspur, while Conor Haughey moved to Fleetwood Town and both Mason Munn and Francis Turley secured contracts with Rangers and Celtic respectively. Many others continue to represent Northern Ireland at international youth level, further underlining the Academy’s reputation.
The Academy embraces innovation to drive player development, using STATSports’ Apex Pro GPS to monitor performance, Eyeball’s analysis platform integrated with Veo footage for personalised insights, and AI-powered Veo HD cameras to deliver professional-level training programmes.
At its core, the Academy is about more than producing footballers. The aim is to develop players to the best of their ability, promote equality and sportsmanship, and broaden horizons through national and international competition.
Above all, the Academy is committed to ensuring safeguarding and welfare remain central to everything it does, providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for every child who wears the famous green, red and black.
