Colchester United Football in the Community's female football programmes are already proving to be a success as they give talented young footballers the chance to make their first steps in the game.
The U's community scheme is currently running both a Female Development Centre and an SSE Wildcats programme, with growing numbers every week coming along to participate.
Our Development Centre programme got underway in February for U8s and U9s, taking place at our Shrub End centre, aiming to improve the abilities of young female footballers who attend.
Meanwhile, the Wildcats scheme, funded by the FA, has had forty female footballers register for its first 16 week programme, which runs in parallel to the UEFA Women's European Championships taking place in Holland.
And the two programmes have now seen three of our talented girls be given the opportunity to step up and represent the Essex FA Regional Talent Club.
Tara Junaid (pictured on the right) joined our Development Centre in March after moving to the UK from Florida, USA.
A pupil at North Primary School, Tara started playing football from 6 years old and, having trialled for Essex FA RTC during June, she has been selected for next season’s U10s squad.
She will be joined by Camille Adams, who has been asked to train with the U10s Essex FA RTC squad on a weekly basis.
Meanwhile, Alicia Russell (pictured on the left), who has been attending Wildcats since it began in April, trialled for Essex FA RTC during June and has also been selected for next season’s U10s squad.
Alicia attends Elmstead Primary School and is in Year 4, starting Year 5 in September. Alicia started playing football at an after school club when she was 6 years old and has spent the last couple of years at local football clubs.
Colchester United Football in the Community's Nikita Runnacles said: “The girls have done exceptionally well to be recognised by Essex FA Regional Talent Club (RTC), as it is the elite level of the female pathway at their age.
“The training will now consist of two nights a week and a weekend fixture within a boys' league. They will learn a lot through this experience and we will be wishing them the best of luck throughout their time there.
“The coaches have worked hard over the last few months to help the growth of girls' football under the Colchester United Football in the Community banner and we hope for this to continue even further for years to come.”
Want to join our programmes?
Our Girls Development Centre trials take place on Monday 7th August (4.30-6.00pm) at Shrub End for U8/U9/U10s
Those in school years 10/11/12 are also invited to a free stadium tour and football session at the Weston Homes Community Stadium on Tuesday 8th August between 10.30am and 12.30pm
And, if you're planning your summer fun, don’t forget we have our Girls Only camps during the summer school holidays, which are available to book on our Official Soccer Schools site.
Further details can be found on the Football in the Community section on the club website, and on our Football in the Community Facebook and Twitter pages!
Contact Nikita.Runnacles@colchesterunited.net for more details on any of our female football programmes.