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Centres of Excellence


The Football Association supports the development of youth female football in the way of a National Girls’ Centre of Excellence programme.

This programme has grown and become instrumental in the successes of the international youth teams over recent years. The establishment of 52 centres throughout England are an integral part of The Football Associations female player development pathway and is the pinnacle from which our youth international players are selected.

In 1997 The FA approved the very first Women's Football Talent Development Plan. This monumental strategy paved the way for new funding to be provided to establish a network of FA Girls’ Centres of Excellence across England. The very first Centres started in season 1998-99 and we now have 52 FA licensed Centres.

The philosophy of each Centre is to disseminate both technical and theoretical information to each player stimulating the players learning. To this end, the precept must be to promote a player centred approach allowing the ‘game to be the teacher’ when appropriate and encompass the principles of LTPD (Long Term Player Development) as set out in The FA LTPD Introductory Guide.

Therefore, each centre must consider the needs of each player and take account of their developmental stage from a growth, development and maturation perspective and implement a programme to develop young players who have and can maximise their potential in the short but ultimately in the longer term.

AIMS

  • To  identify and recruit the most talented girls, within the locality (1.5 hours) of the Centre of Excellence
  • To provide quality coaching, education and welfare at all age groups, and at all levels
  • To enhance player development, incorporating the principles of LTPD, providing individuals with both technical, physiological, psychological and social knowledge to achieve their full potential
  • To identify, recruit and develop the most talented coaches within the locality of the Centre of Excellence
  • To develop a pool of qualified coaches at all levels available to the Centre
  • To implement a comprehensive Coach Mentoring Strategy for the development of female coaches
  • To work closely with the international teams to make sure any potential international player has the opportunity to be scouted
  • To be advocates for and ‘live’ best practice in terms of developing female players, officials and coaches in line with The FA’s Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures

OBJECTIVES

  • To develop players to a standard consistent with the highest levels in Women’s football
  • To recommend players for national U15 and U17 selection if deemed at the appropriate standard
  • To establish squads for Under 10, Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 age groups
  • To establish a challenging and structured technical programme, incorporating the principles of LTPD, which is to be followed by all coaching staff
  • To provide a suitable games programme for all age groups

For contact details, further information on centres in your area or more information about the programme in general please see related articles and links. For contact details of your nearest Centre please e-mail Joanne.Rozze@TheFA.com