The FA's Centre of Excellence Programme is an enhanced coaching centre for U9, U11, U13, U15 and U17 age groups. Players gain access to the Centre of Excellence through a trial process and it is the next step on the Talent Development Pathway after the Player Development Centres.
The Centres of Excellence provide excellent training and support at fantastic training facilities. Every player receives four hours training per week and a weekly regional fixture programme. Players are not allowed to play for grassroots clubs and the Centre of Excellence. Centres of Excellence also play in friendly fixtures and festivals outside of the region to gain more knowledge and experience of the game. U17's age groups compete in a National Centre of Excellence Cup.
The Centres of Excellence provide players with the support required to be an elite player around all four corners of development (technical, physical, social and psychological). England scouts will be present at Centre of Excellence fixtures. Players can only be selected to play for England U15/U17 if they are playing in a Centre of Excellence.
The FA Player Agreement:
- Every Centre of Excellence player is to be given a minimum of a one year agreement or a maximum of a two year agreement, subject to FA funding.
- A player can only leave the Centre during a transfer window. The transfer window will be a two week period in December and a four week period in June.
- No Centre of Excellence can sign a player outside of the agreement.
- Every Centre of Excellence player will be given a half yearly review in December.
The nearest Centres of Excellence are:
Leeds United: gary.waddington@leedsunited.com
Lincoln Ladies: info@lincolnladiesfc.co.uk
North Yorkshire: gail@gailcolling.orangehome.co.uk
For further information about the FA Girls' Talent Development Pathway please contact Gemma Thomas, Women's and Girl's Football Development Officer on 01482 221158 or email gemma.thomas@eastridingfa.com.
Alternatively click here to visit The FA's Girls Talent Development section of The FA's website.