The pathway outlines a players’ journey with England Women from U14 – Senior Level. The pathway provides age and stage-appropriate opportunities across these age groups.
The purpose of the pathway is to identify and prepare talented players as future senior England Lionesses, through the delivery of a holistic curriculum for England pathway teams (The Blueprint for Success).
- U14 – U15 (National Talent Camp)
- England Women U16
- England Women U17
The National Talent Camp is the first step of the Pathway and seeks to identify under-15 & 14 players who may possess international potential and to help prepare these players for the future.
The National Talent Camp is the first step of the Pathway and seeks to identify under-15 & 14 players who may possess international potential and to help prepare these players for the future.
These camps provide players with the opportunity to train and play alongside top talent from around the country at a central facility. These residential camps are scheduled between August and May, with players getting access to technical and multi-disciplinary team support to further aid their development.
Selection for these events are overseen by the Talent Technical Coach and Player Insights Team, supported by player intel gathered on players who have been referred by our Player Referral process. Talented players from any playing environment or background may be selected.
It is important to note that National Talent Camps are not an England National Team but follow the same guiding principles as laid out in the 'Blueprint for Success’.
The first England National Team is the under-16 age group.
England Women U16 is the first age that players can be selected for a full England squad.
At this stage, the players have an introduction to England.
The focus for this age group is:
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Player & Parent Induction
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Continue to identify and confirm talent
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Experience England Women’s ‘How We Play’
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Introduce players to international fixtures
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Introduce players to physical requirements for England players
England Women U17 provides the first competition age group, with England teams competing in UEFA U17 European Championships, and FIFA World Cups (qualification dependent). At the end of this age group players should be ready to move into the Professional Development Phase.
The focus for this age group is:
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Confirm and select top talent for competition
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Experience major tournament football
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Qualify for U17 World Cup
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Meet physical requirements for England players at U17 level
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Ready to transition to next development phase
- England Women U18
- England Women U19
- England Women U20 (This age group only runs every 2 years in World Cup years)
England Women U18 provides a transition into the Professional Development Phase, where development focusses on preparing individual players for competition and senior transition.
The focus for this age group is:
- Enhanced individual performance development
- Experience world competition/fixtures
- Meet the physical requirements for England players at the U18 level
- Transition into ‘Training to Win’ LTAD stage
England Women U19 provides high-level competition at the European level.
By this stage, the focus is on players performing in international competition, alongside gaining experiences to ready them for future senior Lioness transition.
The focus for this age group is:
- Selecting and developing top talent
- Performing in European competition (podium finish)
- Qualify for U20 World Cup
- Meet physical requirements for England players at U19 level (physically ‘Ready to Compete’)
- Top talent readying for senior transition
England Women U20 provides the highest level of international youth football through the U20 World Cup competition.
This opportunity only comes around every 2 years and is qualification-dependent.
This is the last opportunity for players to prepare for the challenges and experiences that will follow in senior international football.
The focus for this age group is:
- Selecting top talent for World competition
- Podium finish at U20 World Cup
- Meet the physical requirement for England players at U20 level (physically ‘Ready to Win’)
- Ready to transition to England Women