Doncaster Rovers Belles’ rich legacy of developing elite, home-grown talent continues to soar after the club announced they are launching a Regional Talent Club (RTC) for footballers of the future.
Julie Grundy (Photo: Doncaster Rovers Belles)
The historic women’s club have been granted an FA licence to set-up an elite centre to develop the most talented girl footballers in the region who are in the U12s, U14s and U16s age groups.
The trailblazing FA WSL 1 club will also be extending its innovative Female Mentoring Scheme – designed by the Belles’ Director of Football and ex-player/manager, Julie Chipchase – to train women to become top-level coaches and managers.
Julie Grundy, Belles RTC Manager and assistant first team coach, said: “The Belles have a rich history of producing elite, home-grown talent and having our own RTC will just continue that trailblazing tradition.
“We want to develop young stars of the future so they can become the next Natasha Dowies, Jess Sigsworths or Sue Smiths. Youngsters here can also look up to the likes of our very own Sam Tierney (pictured above), a South Yorkshire-born player, who progressed through the grassroots ranks and is now a first-team starter competing in the best women’s football league in the country at the age of 17.
“Launching our RTC is an integral part of the 10-year plan at the Belles and will certainly help us to leave a lasting legacy for one of the most famous women’s football clubs.”
The RTC programme is part of the FA Girls’ England Talent Pathway scheme which aims to develop girls with elite footballing potential. RTCs will also replace the current Centre of Excellence and Player Development model and will deliver enhanced coaching and support, designed to further the development of female players.
Faye Lygo, Belles Chairlady, added: “I am absolutely delighted that the Belles have been granted a licence to run an RTC and would like to thank Julie Grundy for all of her hard work in getting this set up at our incredibly pioneering and ambitious club.
“An RTC will really complement what the club are trying to achieve for women in sport, in supporting and mentoring female players and coaches from grassroots to elite level.”
The Belles will be holding THREE trial dates in June for players wanting to join their RTC.
Trials will take place at Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park and players must attend all trials dates before being considered for a place.
The trial dates are:
Sunday, June 12
U12s – 10am-11.30am
U14s – 11.45am-1.15pm
U16s – 1.30pm-3pm
Sunday, June 19
U12s – 10am-11.30am
U14s – 11.45am-1.15pm
U16s – 1.30pm-3pm
Saturday, June 25
U12s – 10am-11.30am
U14s – 11.45am-1.15pm
U16s – 1.30pm-3pm
RTC CRITERIA:
* U12s – Players born from September 1, 2004 – August 31, 2006
* U14s – Players born from September 1, 2002 – August 31, 2004
* U16s – Players born from September 1, 2000 – August 31, 2002
* Your home postcode MUST be within a 1 hour and 30 minutes travel time of our RTC base at S9 1UA
* You MUST have an English parent or an English grandparent or you must have been educated in England for at least five consecutive years.
Please complete the application form HERE and return it by email to:rtc@donnybelles.co.uk
No applications will be considered if received AFTER Friday, June 3, 2016.
All applications are subject to the award of an FA Operating Licence for 2016/17.
The new FA-licensed (RTC) programme replaces the Centre of Excellence and Player Development Centres to provide greater support to clubs who are working with our most talented players.
For more information please contact Julie Grundy, RTC Manager, at: rtc@donnybelles.co.uk
Report courtesy of Doncaster Rovers Belles
