Colchester United Football in the Community (CUFITC) has been striving to provide opportunities for women and girls to get involved in playing, regardless of experience or ability in the beautiful game.
A new revised and improved structure for the girl’s pathway will see additional sessions open up opportunities for all and fall in line with the new Emerging Talent Centre Programme from The FA.
Following the success from the International Women’s Day in March, CUFITC has responded to the needs of the local population. The recent survey outlined areas for development within the women’s game in Colchester, particularly within the ages 16 and above. Below are the details of a comprehensive offer CUFITC will be delivering for the 2022/23 season
“We are delighted to announce a new pathway for both women and girls in Colchester and North Essex, this is a positive step forward for Colchester United FITC and Colchester United Football Club. It’s something we have all been working on strategically in recent months, and it will now ensure we have a sustainable pathway for our female footballers to thrive at all levels and age bands”
“With the UEFA Women’s Euros just around the corner, this is such an exciting time to be a female involved in football. We hope this provides all ages with the opportunity to represent their community and Colchester United” Niamh Gamble, Community Development Officer.
Girls Development Centre (GDC) U10-U16
The Girls Development Centre (GDC) will continue to provide coaching sessions from UEFA and FA qualified coaching, focusing on developing players in the U10-U16 age groups and will continue to be held at Shrub End Community Sports Centre, CO2 9BG.
We aim to develop the players technical and physical ability as well as aid their social and psychological development. Each week our coaches focus on a different topic to ensure the players are learning across the FA 4 corner model. Players are still able to train and play for their grassroots teams alongside the opportunity to represent Colchester United FC in a comprehensive fixture programme.
If you are interested in trials for the GDC, these will take place on Tuesday 26th July - 5:00pm to 6:30pm at Shrub End Community Sports Centre. Please book on the link below.
Open Trials: CLICK HERE.
Girls Advanced Development Centre (GADC) U10-16
Introducing a new step within our female pathway, following in line with the new Emerging Talent Centres, the Girls Advanced Development Centre (GADC)
Commencing in September for the 2022/23 season, our GADC is for players in the U10-U16 age groups, who have been identified with ‘emerging talent’ from either our Girls Development Centre, by our staff, at one of our Open Trials, or recommended by an external coach.
Players will be invited for weekly sessions focused on developing their game through the application of our technical DNA and player development framework. Players will have access to sports therapy clinics, educational workshops, residential trip’s and the opportunity to represent Colchester United FC in a comprehensive fixture programme.
Players in our GADC must either take part in a different sport regularly or play for a grassroots football club. Our staff will work with the grassroots club to ensure there is a holistic approach to the player's development.
Players & parents should note that we are currently reviewing the FA’s application to obtain a licence and become an Emerging talent Centre (ETC). If successful, then our Girls Advanced Development Centre (GADC) will become a FA Emerging talent Centre (ETC) for U10-U16 female players.
If you are interested in trials for the GADC, these will take place on Tuesday 26th July - 5:00pm to 6:30pm at Shrub End Community Sports Centre. Please book on the link below.
Open Trials: CLICK HERE.
Female Football & Education Programme U17-U19
A brand-new Female Football and Education Programme commencing in September 2022, will allow girls aged 16 to 18 to continue playing while undertaking further education with Sigma Sixth Colchester.
The students have the opportunity to combine education with football development across both the Philip Morant and £29m Northern Gateway sports park sites.
Training and studying daily, the curriculum includes bespoke strength and conditioning support, competitive matches in the EFL College Alliance and Analysis Sessions to aid development on the pitch. The programme will also act as a direct pathway for players into the Colchester United women’s team.
Students will study either the BTEC National Extended Diploma in Sport, equivalent to 3 A levels, or 3 A levels of their choice alongside the football development programme and representing Colchester United. Students will also have the option of subsidised sports meal plans and exclusive subsidised gym memberships.
Entry requirements - 4 GCSEs at level 4 or above for the BTEC pathway, 5 GCSEs at level 5 or above for the A level pathway.
To register your interest and attend an open evening event and meet the Colchester United FITC and Sigma Sixth Form staff please email jon.taylor@pmsc.school.
For more information on Sigma Sixth: CLICK HERE.
Women’s Football aged 18+
The final step in the pathway for the 2022/23 season is the open access women’s training sessions and the women’s development centre. With the latter forming the foundations for a planned return of Colchester United women’s team in 2023.24 season.
Women’s Football (Open Access) - As we all know, the Euros are just around the corner and in our backyard and more women than ever before are playing football in England, and there are lots of opportunities to get involved at different levels which are suited to fit your ever-changing life demands. If you are looking to get back into playing football or have no experience at all and want to give it a try, this is the session for you. Sessions will run by-weekly. Sessions will run by-weekly with venue and time yet to be finalised; this will be dependent on the responses gathered through our EOI link below:
Women’s Development Centre (Advanced) - A key area for Colchester United FC is to reintroduce the women team. The new Women’s Development Centre will act as a stepping stone for the Women’s team that will be introduced in 2023/2024, allowing players interested in being a part of 11v11 football to get involved and represent Colchester United in local friendlies. Sessions will run by-weekly with venue and time yet to be finalised; this will be dependent on the responses gathered through our EOI link below:
If any element of our female pathway is of interest to you and would like to discuss it further, please contact Women’s & Girls Development Officer Niamh Gamble on 01206 755160 or email niamh.gamble@olchesterunited.net