Derby
County’s Female Talent Pathway was established ahead of the 2023/24 season as
an amalgamation between the Derby County Women’s Academy teams and the
Community Trust’s Regional Talent Centre.
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After its first full season, the success has been clear to see, with a host of achievements recorded across the age groups, which span from Under-10 to Under-20s level.
The Under-10s, Under-11s and Under-12s, who make up the Foundation Phase of the pathway, played mainly in against male teams in the Derby Junior Football League - with the Under-12s winning their league and the younger teams building their confidence in the friendly games.
The Under-13s also followed suit, winning their league and progressing all the way through to the semi-final of the national Junior Premier League Cup, where they were narrowly beaten by a strong Arsenal side.
The Under-14s, Under-15s and Under-16s all recorded some great results throughout the season, finishing in second and third place in their respective leagues.
The latter stage of the pathway, the Under-18s and Under-20s, have both enjoyed league and cup success - with the Under-18s bringing home the national Junior Premier League Cup, and the Under-20s signing off an undefeated season with a County Cup win in Alfreton last week.
Several players were also part of the winning Football and Education side, who were crowned EFL Community Education Football Alliance (CEFA) champions in a cup final against Swindon Town, played at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium this week.
The achievements of the teams were celebrated in a Presentation Evening at Pride Park Stadium on Thursday 9th May, where members of the Women’s first-team squad joined proceedings to present medals to each player, along with a trophy for the Player of the Season for each team.
The attendees were Club Captain Hannah Ward, Team Captain Amy Sims and fellow team-mates Emily Joyce, Charlotte Steggles, Anna Draper and Kira Rai.
Those winners were as follows:
Under-10s – Isabel
Under-11s – Suzie
Under-12s – Eva
Under-13s – Ffion
Under-14s – El
Under-15s – Olivia
Under-16s – Belle
Under-18s – Darcy
Under-20s and Longest Service – Sarah
Foundation Phase Outstanding Achievement – Brooke
Youth Development Phase Outstanding Achievement – Caitlyn
Professional Development Phase Outstanding Achievement – Eve and Molly
Emerging Talent Centre Rising Star – Mia
The evening rounded off an unbelievable season for the women’s teams at Derby County across the 2023/24 season.
Trials are now open for Under-9s to Under-16s for the upcoming 2024/25 season, which will take place throughout June.
There will also be the establishment of a specific offer for 16-21 year olds, which will combine the opportunity to play for the Young Ewes alongside studying for a wider range of post-16 and degree qualifications, increasing the amount of training, strength and conditioning and analysis sessions available to younger players, to bridge the gap between youth and first-team provision.
Find
out more about playing within Derby County’s Female Talent Pathway and Elite
Programme here: derbycountycommunitytrust.com/programmes/female-football-trust