On Tuesday 23 April Lincoln City Women’s Academy hosted an engagement evening at Riseholme College ahead of the launch of their elite new programme which will be a part of their current pathway.
The pathway is a unique route for current year 10, 11 or 12 students who are interested in studying while playing football, are a talented player who is eager to develop further, or for someone who has ambitions of scholarships or elite level football.
Girls who attended the evening were treated to a classroom-based presentation, gym work, football drills on the 3G pitch, fitness testing and a tour of the facility.
Jon Pepper, head of Lincoln City Academy, said: “The event was held to launch the Women’s Academy, which will support 16 - 19 year olds. It’s a new initiative to ensure there is an elite pathway and an elite programme to support female players.
“The mission is to make sure that we produce better people and better players. It’s really important that they come on a programme where they’re gaining lots of life skills, and one that commits them to their education and gives them options when they leave the programme.
“Also, as a footballer, they will improve their skills, they will improve their tactical and technical understanding, and they’ve got a pathway, whether that’s into Lincoln City, or beyond.
“I do think there’s a lack of opportunities in terms of equal provision for females compared to males. It’s really important that they have access to good facilities, good coaching, good support programmes and a good education at the same time.
“That’s been around in the male game for a number of years, but it’s very much still in its infancy in the female game, but we’re trying to arrest that and look to develop that aspect of our football club.”
Danny Carter, emerging talent centre manager for the girls, added: “This is really exciting, because it’s an important step for the football club. The girls will get more high-quality training in the week, they will get a more competitive games programme, and they’ll get an education pathway to go alongside that.
“Three years ago, we didn’t really have any girls playing football under our umbrella as a football club, and now we’re talking about a Lincoln City Academy for women in just three years, and that’s really exciting.”
Missed out on the engagement evening? Register your interest in joining our pathway by emailing womensacademy@theredimps.com.
