The EFL Trust are delighted to announce the expansion of their Talent Inclusion Programme work with the FA into 34 EFL communities.
The Talent Inclusion programme ensures that through the existing community activities of EFL Club Community Organisations (CCOs), female participants can be identified and referred to the FA England Women’s Talent Pathway. Social class, ethnicity and demographics should not be a barrier to success. Research from the FA has indicated that girls from low-socio-economic urban areas are not progressing into the talent system which is a lost opportunity for both young women and the England team. It is paramount to the future of England’s female football that the pathway is a system for all and the EFL Trust and the FA are committed to working collaboratively to be creative and inventive to achieve this goal together.
CCOs are supported by an education and learning programme managed by the EFL Trust and supported by the FA.
“Our partnership with the EFL Trust contributes hugely to our ongoing work to develop and deliver an accessible and inclusive talent pathway. We are delighted that the programme has expanded to 34 clubs. We cannot underestimate the impact of the bespoke work the CCOs will be delivering within their communities and how that will undoubtedly help unearth potential hidden talent”
Alexis Lunn-Gadd, FA Women’s Talent Pathway Operations Manager
For girls showing potential, the programme creates a pathway from community to full England honours, with an educated workforce that identifies and supports potential. CCOs will be encouraged to develop their own programme plan based on their expertise in their local area, taking into consideration known barriers faced by young girls.
The programme began with just 10 EFL community organisations involved and working together with the FA we are now in a position to include the 34 clubs who have committed their support for the next 12 months.
“We are delighted to be continuing our work in partnership with the FA to really address areas of need. The EFL Trust network of Club Community Organisations delivers in some of the most diverse communities within the country, engaging thousands of girls on a weekly basis. We know there is talent out there, we just need to provide the opportunities by working with the network and the FA to make the pathways more accessible by understanding local needs and barriers”
Loo Brackpool, Head of Participation and Community Engagement at the EFL Trust
