Stevenage FC Foundation is delighted to announce details for the third year of our Girls Development Centre.

Starting in October 2018, our first season saw great success with over 40 girls being involved across four age groups - this leading to the need for an additional session which we evolved into our Girls Football Centre. In the 2019/20 season our numbers doubled and we saw the creation of our GK specific session. 

The Girls Development Centre sessions run weekly throughout the season and are located at Stevenage FC Academy in Shephalbury on Monday evenings (6-7pm & 7-8pm) for girls aged 8 to 16 years old.

Coached by FA and UEFA qualified coaches the centre is tailored to give players the best opportunity to progress technically as a footballer and to help them develop socially and psychologically.

The centre is a supplementary training and games programme and will complement girls' existing grassroots football commitments. Our Girls Development Centre allows all players to play for any club side locally as all games against other professional clubs take place in the school holidays.

The sessions are player centred and revolve around technical and game based scenarios with the emphasis on enjoyment, development and performance. Girls involved in the centre that are not currently signed to clubs will be supported by the Foundation, working with Hertfordshire FA, to find local grassroots football that meets their needs.

Project Manager, Dani Toyn says:

It's so exciting to be heading into our third year of Development Centre and after such a successful first two years I really can't wait to get going again in the September. The standard of girls we have had over the past two seasons has been excellent and the progression of all players has been evident. I was delighted to set up the GK specific session which enabled us to further grow the numbers this season and provide an opportunity for girls in all positions.

There is a thriving grassroots girls’ game in Hertfordshire with over 3,800 girls taking part each week in 130 girls’ teams up and down the county. We would not be able to offer an opportunity like this without that incredible work. The county also has fantastic elite role models in Arsenal Women and Watford Women towards the top of the women's pyramid.

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Kit & Fees

Should your daughter be successful in the trial, sessions are paid for in a termly block and will cost £5 per player per week. The centre will run for 32 sessions between September and May. 

All matches against other development centres are played during school holidays and come at no additional cost to players.

All girls are asked to purchase official training kit which comprises of Training Tee, Jumper, Shorts, Socks and Rain Jacket. This will be available for players who successfully complete a trial with the centre. 

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For more information on the Stevenage FC Foundation Women and Girls pathway please email [email protected]