Cambridge United has been successful in its bid to receive a Girls Emerging Talent Centre license, as the FA aims to provide a wider and more diverse talent pool for the Women’s game...
Starting in September 2022, the three-year license will allow the club four dual age band groups, including U10, U12, U14, and U16, which will feed directly into the Cambridge United female footballing pathway.
The ETC aims to provide gifted and talented female players the opportunity to continue developing their holistic ability in a competitive environment, with the grand aim of producing players for the Lionesses.
The news is a momentous step within the club’s female development pathway as it is recognised by the FA as a programme which can successfully implement a centre of this substance.
Cambridge United Girls Programme Manager Charlotte Crisp said, “I am delighted that we have received the ETC licence. With our female player pathway successfully growing year on year, this opportunity only strengthens what we are able to provide to girls who have a talent and passion for the sport.
“The ETC will be a welcomed new step in our pathway which I look forward to implementing this upcoming season.”
"This is a positive and significant step, as we continue to drive the female pathway at the club," Sporting Director Ben Strang said. "The ETC will enable us to build on the fantastic work already in place, led by Charlotte and her team, and provide an elite tier for promising young talent in the area.
"Conversations have been ongoing for some time and our belief and enthusiasm for the scheme has been apparent throughout. It will serve as a hugely beneficial programme to feed into our senior teams and gives us the best chance of developing homegrown players capable of representing Cambridge United."
Chair of the Cambridge United Women's Football Board, Jenny Horsfield added, "It is a really exciting time for girl's and women’s football and with the integration of the women’s team into the club, we are delighted to have been granted an ETC license and help to develop young talent to achieve their full potential."
If you are aged between 8-16 and are interested in joining our ETC please register to attend one of our trial dates by following this link.
If you would like more information regarding this opportunity please contact charlotte.crisp@cambridge-united.co.uk.