Local football academy welcomes first female players
Exmouth Community College has welcomed its first female players to its sixth form football academy, following ‘strong’ local demand.
A local community college’s sixth form football academy has welcomed its first ever female players this season.
Exmouth Community College, on Gipsy Lane, Exmouth, previously only admitted boys into its football academy, which combines sixth form study with specialist football coaching and competition.
From this year, following “strong” demand, the school has opened up its specialist training to girls.
The academy is run in partnership with Exeter Regional Talent Centre, and has links to Exeter City FC. Former football academy students have progressed onto the club.
“The academy has been a brilliant experience for me and has given me opportunities that I probably wouldn’t have had otherwise,” said Rory Macdonald, a former student who captained the academy last year.
“I’ve obviously really enjoyed the football side, but some of the things that surprised me most were the parts away from the pitch. I particularly enjoyed the health and nutrition sessions and the cook-offs, as well as learning about sports psychology.
“A lot of what we covered is useful not just in football but in everyday life as well.”
“The coaching opportunities have also been a massive part of it for me. I’ve been able to complete my UEFA C qualification and I’m now working with ERTC, coaching at the Girls’ Centre on Thursday evenings.”
Matt Hesford, football development officer at Exeter Regional Talent Centre, said: “Seeing students like Rory progress into coaching… shows what the programme can offer beyond simply playing matches.
“The students have really bought into what we are trying to achieve, and the fact that the boys’ programme is now full is a fantastic reflection of that.
“Expanding the academy to girls is an exciting next step. We want to create the same opportunities for female players to develop their football in a high-quality environment while continuing their education, and hopefully we’ll see them achieve the same sort of successes we’re already seeing from the boys’ programme.”