A new crop of players from the West Country could be soon be making in-roads on the England Women’s team.
After taking on board feedback from players, parents and coaches involved with Centres of Excellence and Player Development Centres, The FA has decided to revamp the way elite female players from the south west come through the development pathway.
A region-specific talent pathway pilot has been created, to commence at the beginning of next season.
This will bring a new player-focused approach to elite female youth football, ensuring the pathway is accessible as well as both supportive and educational.
The pilot will ensure a player’s development, health and wellbeing is at the forefront of the programme, and aims to support our elite players as they strive to reach world class level.
Within the new pathway is the formation and introduction of Advanced Coaching Centres, which replace the previous Player Development Centres, as well as the introduction of the first-ever South West FA Girls’ Centre of Excellence programme that will provide residential education and physiological support from full-time FA staff.
The pilot will allow players to play at more appropriate levels of the game, reduce travel time for training and matches to ensure more time and focus is invested in our elite players.
As part of the pilot scheme, Bristol and Oxford Girls’ Centres of Excellence will form part of the Midlands fixture programme, while Hampshire and Middlesex FA Centres of Excellence will move back into the London & South East region. Devon FA and Somerset FA will become newly-formed Advanced Coaching Centres.
