Foundation Focus: Female Pathway

Foundation Focus: Female Pathway

Football programmes delivered to young females within the Leeds United Foundation.

The Leeds United Foundation currently have over 1,800 young females participating within football programmes and they are working hard to stay in touch with each of them whilst they are unable to deliver the weekly sessions.

The club’s official charity have a female pathway system that begins with participation focused programmes, which is centred around getting young girls involved in football, and finishes with elite specific talent groups - otherwise known as the Girls Academy.

Each element within the programme caters for different levels of ability with a real focus on developing a range of areas that includes skill level, confidence, motivation, teamwork and much more.

During the COVID-19 pandemic the coaches are keeping in touch with the aspiring footballers and their families through a number of online platforms, hosting weekly catch-up video sessions, being on hand to answer any questions, setting challenges, introducing new skills and completing online progress reports.

Here are the various football programmes currently being delivered:

SSE Wildcats:

  • Delivering weekly sessions at 60 Wildcats Centres in both schools and grassroots clubs
  • Engaging with 1,300 girls aged from 5 to 11 years
  • Providing regular opportunities for girls to play in an inclusive environment and inspiring girls to love football and sport
  • Delivered by FA qualified coaches 

Junior Football Club:

  • Main focus is to give young females the opportunity to participate within a female team environment 
  • Girls are able to progress from the Wildcats sessions into a female grassroots Junior Football Club
  • Competitive league and fixture programme included
  • Teams ranging from U7s, U8s, U9s and U10s

Shadow Squad:

  • 200 girls participating weekly alongside their grassroots team for additional training
  • Enhanced and tailored coaching programme to improve individual players for the next stage of their development 
  • Sessions focused around individual ball work to ensure players are meeting the demands of the Girls Academy to encourage that next step in the pathway 
  • 67% of the females now in the Girls Academy were brought through the Shadow Squad programme

Girls Academy (Regional Talent Centre):

  • 75 girls are currently part of the FA Elite Pathway engaging in a dedicated fixture and S&C programme
  • The RTC allows players identified as having elite potential the opportunity to access appropriate levels of coaching and support
  • Currently seven girls within the England International Pathway and one member within the Wales International Pathway
  • A minimum of three hours training per week with weekend fixtures 
  • Psychological support and workshops provided over the course of the season
  • Partnership with Leeds Beckett University to provide full fitness testing and physiotherapists

If you would like more information on the female pathway at the Leeds United Foundation, please contact Abigail.Lee@leedsunited.com.

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