Bristol Rovers Community Trust and Bristol Rovers Women’s FC are delighted to announce that they have officially joined the EFL Trust Female Talent Inclusion Project.
The EFL Trust Female Talent ID programme ensures that through the existing community activities delivered by the Community Trust and the ‘Gas Girls’, female participants between the age of 10-16 can be identified and referred to the FA Talent Pathway. Staff and volunteers will be supported by an education and learning programme for their staff overseen by The Football Association to maximise the programme.
Bristol Rovers Community Trust, The EFL Trust and The FA recognise that ethnicity, social class, and demographics should not be a barrier for success. For girls who are showing potential, Bristol Rovers can now create a pathway from the community to becoming a Lioness.
Bristol Rovers currently engages with approximately 210 female participants on a regular basis through our various community-based sessions for girls. We have also seen a dramatic increase in the number of female students enrolling onto our BTEC Level 3 in Sport programme, which offers girls the opportunity to start their careers in the sports industry.
EFL Trust Women’s Talent ID Project Officer, Nicol Meredith, said “We are delighted to be working with Bristol Rovers Community Trust who, as an organisation based in the heart of their community, and are successfully engaging with young females on a regular basis. This joint collaboration will provide the opportunity to unearth hidden talent amongst girls who are otherwise disadvantaged in being “talent-spotted”, and then supported to access the England Talent Pathway. BRCT have demonstrated a strong commitment to female football and will be supported though an education and learning programme overseen by The EFL Trust and The FA. We look forward to starting this journey with a club community trust with the potential to make such a difference in their community.”
Bristol Rovers Women’s FC Co-Founder and Club Secretary, Matthew Davies added, “I’m absolutely delighted that our application to join the EFL Trust Female Talent Inclusion project has been accepted. Bristol Rovers Community Trust already engages with hundreds of female participants and now our attention will be focused on offering more opportunities for girls who may not have the access to football sessions in our communities and identifying those who have the potential to start their journey onto the FA Talant Pathway. We have some exciting plans in the pipeline that will help us to maximise the exciting potential that this programme has to offer for years to come. By laying down these foundations, we feel that the participation and performance areas of our club will put us in a great position going forward and benefit many girls within our communities.”
Bristol Rovers Women’s FC are also accepting registrations for their next ‘Open Sessions’ taking place in June and July. To register your interest, click on the link below.