Taking a Different Path: the Girls’ England Talent Pathway and the 34 Regional Talent Clubs

At the end of April 2016, after a six-month application process, the FA awarded three-year licences to 34 newly created Regional Talent Clubs to deliver elite girls’ football development as part of the Girls’ England Talent Pathway. Grouped into three tiers according to facilities, workforce, coach and player development, performance service provision and age groups covered, they replace the Centre of Excellence model and the Player Development Centres, a change that has caused upset among players and parents settled in the old structure – though that structure was itself heavily criticised when introduced four years earlier. Age groups will now run with the academic year from September, and for the first time Under-10 and Under-12 girls’ teams will compete in Charter Standard youth leagues against boys’ and mixed sides.