Reading FC Women Player Pathway
More Than A First Team
Reading FC Women play a central role in the local football landscape, offering opportunities for girls of all ages and abilities to engage with the game and progress through the pathway.
Player Pathway
Reading FC Women works closely with Reading FC Community Trust to provide a clear pathway from grassroots to senior football, starting from the youngest age groups through to our First Team.
Our pathway supports players from grassroots through to first-team football, with programmes that focus on technical development, physical preparation and psychological and social support.
Community Camps
Open-access sessions and holiday football for girls of all abilities, providing fun, accessible football sessions for girls across the region.
Emerging Talent Centre (ETC)
A high-quality training environment for U10–U13 players, combining extra contact time with the ability to remain with grassroots clubs.
Girl’s Academy (U14 & U16)
Bridging the gap with a focus on full development and preparing players for the demands of senior women’s football and the next step on the pathway.
Emerging Talent Centre (ETC)
The Girls’ Emerging Talent Centre (ETC) serves as a premier platform to identify and nurture future potential players. Our primary goal is to provide a local and accessible high-quality training environment that fosters player development. With increased playing time, diverse football formats, and the option to dual sign with a grassroots club, the ETC offers a holistic approach to nurturing talent
For the current season, we are operating three age groups within the Emerging Talent Centre: U10 (dual age band), U11 and U12.
Please note: To be eligible for this programme, you must reside within a 60-minute radius of the Select Car Leasing Stadium. This is an FA requirement to ensure that we can provide the necessary support and training opportunities to local talented players.
Here’s what our Emerging Talent Centre brings to the table:
Technical & Physical Framework
Our expert coaches will provide a solid technical foundation while focusing on the players’ physical development. This comprehensive approach ensures that young athletes receive the best possible training to enhance their skills on the field.
Stretch and Challenge Opportunities
We believe in pushing the boundaries of our high-performing players. The Emerging Talent Centre facilitates stretch and challenge opportunities to ensure these individuals reach their full potential.
Psychological and Social Support
We understand that a player’s mental and emotional well-being is as important as their technical abilities. Our dedicated team offers comprehensive psychological and social support to help players thrive both on and off the pitch.
Additional Specialist Support
Participants in the Emerging Talent Centre will have access to a range of specialist support services. This includes a sports therapist, goalkeeper coach and strength and conditioning training to optimize their physical performance.
Girl’s Academy
Our U14 and U16 Academy teams are designed for players who want more than just football training they’re for young female athletes who want to grow in confidence, skill, character and grow a lifelong love for the game.
At this stage of development, football becomes more purposeful. Our programme is built on a methodologically sound syllabus that follows age-appropriate principles of long-term player development. Each session is carefully planned to ensure players are stretched, supported and challenged in ways that are both enjoyable and psychologically safe.
What to expect from our Pathway:
High-Quality Coaching
Our coaching team are extremely experienced and incredibly well qualified. Lead by our Women’s First Team Manager and our Head of Women’s Football, we ensure that those that transition both from our younger ETC age groups and those that transition into senior football, experience continuity throughout their entire journey with the club.
A Clear Development Pathway
Our syllabus provides a clear framework across age groups, helping players build strong technical foundations while developing game intelligence, decision-making and positional understanding. Our syllabus also incorporates the changing physical and psychological demands as each athlete passes through our pathway. Progress is measured, individualised and focused through our review and Individual Development Plan system, rather than simply on results.
More Than a Team
Being part of our U14 and U16 girls programme means joining a football family that values effort, improvement and character as much as ability. Whether a player is aiming for higher-level football or simply wants to enjoy the game in a structured, supportive environment, our programme equips her with skills for football and for life.
Holistic Player Development
We believe great players are confident people first. Alongside football skills, we actively develop the following core values:
These qualities extend beyond the pitch and support players in school, friendships and everyday life.
Ambition
Wanting to be the best version of yourself and working hard to do so.
Friendship
What’s football if we’re not enjoying it and getting to share our experiences with those around us.
Commitment
Understanding that learning isn’t instant and isn’t linear. It takes time and we must learn to work through setbacks to get our rewards at the other end.
Community
The game is more than just the 90 minutes it’s about the connections we make and the way we make other people’s lives better through football.
Get in contact
This structure ensures that talented young players can see a clear route from their first session with Reading right through to representing the First Team. Many current First Team players have come through this system and as a club we’re building for even more home-grown success in the future.
Ed Jackson-Norris
Player Development Lead