Saints' renewed commitment towards women's football has taken a step forward with the award of a Tier 1 Licence to operate an FA Girls’ Regional Talent Club as of the 2016/17 season.

The club plan to 'embed the Academy Performance Plan with the focus on developing young players from Potential into Excellence.'

The introduction of the programme from next season is the first step in the club’s aspirations to integrate the Southampton Way into a girls & women’s programme.

Regional Talent Clubs will replace The FA’s Girls’ Centre of Excellence and Player Development Centre model from next season, and will deliver enhanced coaching and support, designed to further enhance the development of elite female players.

Les Reed, Executive Director of Football, is delighted to have secured Tier 1 status and said: “Developing a sustainable Girls & Women’s programme has always been on our agenda and achieving a Tier 1 Licence demonstrates our intentions to deliver a first class programme for talented young female players.

“We look forward to embedding the Academy Performance Plan with the focus on developing young players from Potential into Excellence.

“We acknowledge the value of inheriting a great programme under the stewardship of Hampshire FA for the past ten years, and look forward to working with the coaching team, support staff, players and parents next season.”

Saints’ programme will be an integral part of the England Women’s Elite Talent Pathway, and The FA has awarded the Tier 1 Licence for three years.

It is a quality assured programme providing player development opportunities for elite female players at Under 10s, Under 12s, Under 14s, and Under 16s.

Trial dates for the 2016/17 season have now been confirmed for all age groups.

If you would like further information on the programme please contact Martina Heath via mheath@saintsfc.co.uk