Women's Player Pathway come together at Bearwood

"We're creating a streamlined pathway from U10s to our senior team, emphasising the unity across the football club." 

This past week at Bearwood Training Park, an exciting event unfolded as the various branches of our women's football pathway came together. The U21 and U16 players, along with their dedicated coaches, had a unique opportunity to watch and train with the senior team. This was a first for these age groups and provided our budding academy talents with a valuable insight into what it takes to secure a spot in the first team.

The day kicked off with the coaches from all age groups convening for a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) meeting in the morning. Meanwhile, our U21s had the privilege of joining head coach Liam Gilbert's training session. The U16s observed this high-intensity training closely, accompanied by Women's Academy Manager Ben Cole.

Following the training sessions, Dan Logue, Assistant First Team Coach, conducted a session with the U16s, while senior players watched and even interacted with the younger talents after the session.

Liam Gilbert, the first-team head coach, emphasized the significance of this Player Pathway Day. He stated, "I think it's so important for the players coming through the pathway to get to know what the top end of a club is like. It helps them realize what they need to do if that's the direction they'd like to pursue. Additionally, it's an opportunity for senior players to connect with younger players, reflecting on their own experiences and passing on knowledge to the academy players."

Gilbert also praised the unity within the club and the initiative's impact. "Today, we shared our experiences and perspectives with the academy coaches. Having diverse voices and opinions to enrich our ideas is very beneficial. Our academy staff are exceptional coaches, and creating a seamless pathway from U10s to the first team is crucial. This underscores the great unity within Reading. We're striving to create an open forum, building a streamlined pathway from U10s to the first team, which is a significant goal for our club."

"I hope today leaves a lasting impression on the players. It shouldn't be a one-off experience. Hopefully, it has provided them with a taste of what it takes to reach the first team. I hope they can apply what they've learned to their footballing journeys to the top."

Ben Cole, Women’s Academy Manager overseeing U14s to U21s, shared his thoughts on this memorable day for academy players. "Days like this are invaluable for our players. With it being half-term, it was a fantastic opportunity to expose our players to the first team. They gained insights into the intensity required to make it into the senior squad."

"Experiencing the intensity and pace of play will greatly benefit our players on their journey to professional football. Witnessing how first-team players manage themselves as athletes, focusing on hydration and physical care, imparts crucial lessons to our girls."

Ben also noted the significance of having the U21s coached by Liam Gilbert and the U16s receiving a coaching session from Dan Logue, the Women's First Team Assistant Coach. "It was essential for the girls to experience coaching at these levels. While our approaches may be similar in terms of demeanor, getting a fresh perspective on intensity and the standards demanded from players was highly beneficial."

A fantastic day of learning and unity at Bearwood!