88 Guides and Senior Branchers will compete in FIRST LEGO League Challenge Regional at DCU

From ancient artefacts to cutting-edge robotics, Irish Girl Guides (IGG) are preparing for a day of discovery as 16 teams from across the country take part in the FIRST LEGO League Challenge Regional at Dublin City University (DCU) on Saturday 28 February 2026.

This season’s FIRST LEGO League Challenge theme, UNEARTHED™, invites teams to step into the role of archaeologists. Throughout the year, participants have explored how the past is uncovered, studied, and protected, and how innovation can help solve real challenges faced in archaeology today. Their innovation projects focus on identifying genuine problems in the field and proposing creative, practical solutions that could help preserve history for future generations.

Alongside their research, teams have designed, built, and programmed LEGO® robots to complete a series of themed missions, developing skills in coding, engineering, and critical thinking along the way.

Bringing together girls from 11 IGG Guide and Senior Branch Units, the Regional Tournament celebrates curiosity, collaboration, and problem-solving. Participants will put their STEM skills to the test through a high-energy robot game, an innovation project, and presentations that reflect the FIRST® LEGO® League Core Values of teamwork, inclusion, and gracious professionalism.

The event marks a key milestone in the FIRST LEGO League season, with teams competing for a place in the Ireland Final on Saturday 21 March 2026.

We wish the very best of luck to all the teams taking part in the Regional Tournament:

conNÈCKt – Lucan Guides (4 team members)
The Fossil Finders – Lucan Guides (4 team members)
Spaghetti Rollz – Ardagh Guides (7 team members)
Ancient Coders – Ardagh Guides (7 team members)
Kerry Relic Rangers – Dingle Guides (3 team members)
An Daingean Diggers – Dingle Guides (6 team members)
KRILL-iana Jones – North Longford Guides (5 team members)
Barney the Dinosaur – Lily Guides (8 team members)
Rock Stars – Lily Guides (8 team members)
InGen – Macalla Guides Trim (5 team members)
Clogherhead Heads – Clogherhead Guides (6 team members)
Disco Dynamics – Mullagh Senior Branch (8 team members)
Dilse Diggers – Dilse Senior Branch (3 team members)
The Little Timmies – Cairde Guides (4 team members)
Brickmasters – Naas Guides (5 team members)
U Rockers – Naas Guides (5 team members)

“FIRST LEGO League gives girls the opportunity to explore STEM in a hands-on, meaningful way,” said Katie Keogh, Irish Girl Guides LEGO Project Chair. “Watching teams grow in confidence as they collaborate, problem-solve, and share their ideas is incredibly rewarding. This Regional event is a celebration of all the effort they’ve put in throughout the season.”

The Regional Tournament promises a lively and supportive atmosphere, with families, Leaders, and volunteers cheering on the teams. The day will conclude with a showcase of innovation projects and achievements, recognising the creativity, resilience, and teamwork demonstrated by every participant.

Supported by the Research Ireland Discover Programme, FIRST® LEGO® League is organised by CreativeHUT.

EA SPORTS LOI Academy MU20 League launched as part of new season in 2024

The League of Ireland has announced the introduction of the EA SPORTS LOI Academy MU20 League to replace the existing MU19 League as the 2024 EA SPORTS LOI Academy was launched today. 

The introduction of the EA SPORTS LOI Academy MU20 League comes in to allow players in the final age group of the system every opportunity to develop and progress into senior League of Ireland teams. 

The move will see players be retained longer in the EA SPORTS LOI Academy system and it will provide players with the additional time they may need to physically mature and develop as a player. Additionally, the Future Developers rule has been extended to include first year MU20 players who can now play across age groups also.

The launch of the EA SPORTS LOI Academy Leagues for 2024 also sees the introduction of Mayo Football Club to the League of Ireland for the first time. 

Mayo FC will be represented by MU14, MU15 and WU17 teams in their respective EA SPORTS LOI Academy games programmes. 

Kerry FC’s introduction to the League of Ireland is also extended as they will enter a WU17 team for the first time. 

With the most amount of players and teams, the 2024 EA SPORTS LOI Academy Leagues will be the biggest ever in the League of Ireland.

Clubs who have both boys and girls EA SPORTS LOI Academy teams will have the option to play female players with the boys as a player development tool also next season. WU17 players will be allowed to play at MU14 & MU15 level and WU19 players will be allowed to play at MU15 & MU17 level.    

League of Ireland Academy Development Manager, Will Clarke, said: “We’re very excited to launch this years EA SPORTS LOI Academy Development Programme. The introduction of the EA SPORTS LOI Academy MU20 League will give players even more opportunities of fulfilling their potential and achieving their aim of playing for senior League of Ireland teams. We’re also delighted to have Mayo FC enter the League of Ireland with their new EA SPORTS LOI Academy teams as well as seeing football grow further in Kerry with their new WU17 team. Last season we expanded the games programme by hosting several successful events and we look forward to more new events in 2024. We would like to thank EA SPORTS for their continued support in helping to develop the next generation of Irish footballer and I’d like to wish all players, coaches, referees, club officials and volunteers the best of luck ahead of the new season.” 

James Taylor, Director – Football Partnerships at EA SPORTS FC, said: “We are proud to support the EA SPORTS League of Ireland Academy for the second year, as we continue our commitment to the grassroots game and help to develop young, aspiring talent in Ireland. It’s a real privilege to be a part of each player’s journey as they navigate their way through the player pathway to hopefully become a future star of the world’s game. We look forward to continuing to support the clubs, league and players across the country for Season 24.”

National Women’s Soccer League Now Available In EA Sports FIFA 23

EA SPORTS furthered its commitment to women’s football with the addition of the American National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) now available in EA SPORTS™ FIFA 23. Fans across the globe can now experience a more authentic representation of women’s football with all 12 NWSL teams and all players available within Kick Off, Tournament Mode, Head to
Head season / Co-op Seasons and Online Friendlies. Also available in-game will be four NWSL stadiums, along with authentic kits, starheads, trophies and celebrations.

Earlier this month, EA SPORTS announced partnerships with the NWSL and NWSLPA, which continued its ongoing commitment to elevate and authentically represent the women’s game. This new integration provides content to sports and gaming fans the opportunity to engage more with their favourite players and clubs beyond matchday.

The 2023 NWSL season is slated to kick off on Saturday, March 25, with opening weekend for the league’s 11th campaign seeing all 12 teams in action. Both the regular season and the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup will appear across CBS Sports platforms, including The CBS Television Network, CBS Sports Network and Paramount+. FIFA 23 is developed by EA Vancouver and EA Romania and is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

To learn more about the latest news for FIFA 23, please visit
https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23.