The Girls’ Emerging Talent Centres across England will provide greater accessibility to the player pathway and more inclusivity for female players to enhance player development.
Girls’ Emerging Talent Centres Launch
Funding of £5.25 million from the Premier League across the next three years will see players engaged in FA Pathway programmes more than double helping to create greater access for all. Girls’ Emerging Talent Centres across the nation will increase and diversify the talent pool and gives more girls than ever the chance to take their first steps on the pathway towards playing professional football and following in the footsteps of the inspirational Lionesses.
The main purpose of the Girls’ Emerging Talent Centres (ETCs) is Talent ID: To identify and develop future potential players by providing local, accessible high-quality training environments. The new Centres will offer increased playing time, varied football formats and allow players to play for both an Emerging Talent Centre and a grassroots club, school, or representative team, which we hope will enhance the variety of playing experiences.
The plans will see a wider national network of ETCs for girls aged eight to sixteen, forming a wide base at the entry point of the pathway. The number of players is set to rise from the current 1,722 to 4,200 by the end of the 2023/24 Season.
There are up to 70 Emerging Talent Centres across the country with licences granted to external clubs and organisations to become a Girls’ Emerging Talent Centre, based on strict criteria being met and eligible organisations included:
● Affiliated women’s football clubs in Tier 1-4 of the Women’s Football Pyramid
● The Club Community Organisations (CCOs) linked to Premier League, EFL and National League Clubs
● County FAs and FA Women’s High Performance Football Centres
Centres must deliver a minimum of one session per week which includes 1.5 Hours of technical training to each age group, for 30 weeks. Age appropriate Strength & Conditioning/Physical Literacy must be included within the practical training hours as part of the wider framework. Goalkeeping provision aligned to the wider framework must be provided within the practical training hours.
Centres will provide players with a minimum one game every six weeks which will include at least one festival in line with the Centre’s wider framework. This will include exposure to a variety of playing formats and experiences, including futsal.
There is focus on a holistic approach to player development which includes:
● Technical & Physical Framework
● Long-term Player Development principles
● Provide and facilitate additional stretch and challenge opportunities for high performing players
● Psychological/Social Development Support
● Education/Lifestyle Development Support
Players attending an ETC have the same opportunities to progress in the Women's England Talent Pathway as those players who are not attending an ETC therefore ensuring that access to the Women's England Talent Pathway are accessible and inclusive for every player who is showing talent and potential.
For further information please contact: playerpathway@thefa.com
