Bath College has announced the launch of a new women’s football academy in partnership with Bath City FC, with spaces available for up to 20 players aged 16 to 19 to start training with the academy at Odd Down Sports Ground in September.
The academy will be unique to Bath and will build on the success of the men’s programme with the Bath City Football Academy.
It will also help to meet an increasing demand for women’s football from young players in the past few years.
Sports lecturer Paul Blenkinsopp, from Bath College, said: “We’ve been working in partnership with Bath City FC over the last three years to develop the men’s programme and we’ve also had a number of enquiries from people asking ‘do you offer women’s football?’
“We’re working with the Bath City Community Sports Foundation and they already run training sessions for year 10 and 11 pupils. They’ve told us they have a lot of young female players and coaches, so there’s a definite demand for this.”
Players training with the women’s football academy will train three times a week. One session will be based at the Bath College gym and two sessions will be at Odd Down Sports Ground.
They will play matches on Wednesday as part of the ECFA (English Colleges Football Association) and will study for a Level 2 or Level 3 BTEC in sport.
The college sports department has a number of staff who either play or coach football and, as a result, they are very excited about the new programme.
Mr Blenkinsopp, said: “The big thing is that we’re going to offer something unique for the Bath area, and by working with the community sports foundation we’ll also be able to offer existing students work experience placements.
“It’s a great opportunity for young female football players.”
To find out about the women’s football academy call (01225) 312191 or e-mail [email protected].
You can register your interest in the new programme here.
