In 2022, The FA launched the new Girls’ Emerging Talent Centre Programme, with Reading FC being one of the first clubs to be awarded a licence.
The centre will be underpinned by five key areas:
- Better accessibility
- More inclusivity
- Reducing the impact of early selection
- More focused investment
- Providing more appropriate challenges
For the 2023-24 season over 60 centres will be running nationwide, which will see the number of young female players engaged in FA programmes across the country rise from 1722 to over 4200, with the aim to sustain its future and provide a wider and more diverse talent pool for the women’s game. The Premier League confirmed it will provide £1.75m per annum for the next three years to support the new network of ETCs.
The Girls’ ETC serves as a premier platform to identify and nurture future potential players within a 60-minute radius of the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Our primary goal is to provide a local and accessible high-quality training environment that fosters player development. With increased playing time, diverse football formats, and the option to dual sign with a grassroots club, the ETC offers a holistic approach to nurturing talent.
Following a very successful maiden season, we are thrilled to be expanding and operating four age groups for this season: U10 (dual age band), U11, U12, and U13. This allows us to cater to a wide range of talented young footballers who are ready to take their skills to the next level. Squads were selected from open Talent ID sessions throughout July, with over 360 young female players in attendance.
If you would like more information about the programme, please contact Emma Hopkins (ETC manager): ehopkins@readingfc.co.uk