Author: Marketing

Reading Football Club is delighted to confirm that Reading Women will return under the Reading Football Club umbrella ahead of the 2026/27 season.

The move will see the Women’s First Team return to training at Bearwood Park, while selected home matches will be played at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, marking an important step in the continued rebuilding and growth of the women’s and girls’ programme.

Reading Women have been operated by Reading FC Community Trust in recent seasons, with the Trust playing a vital role in ensuring the team continued to compete following the challenges faced under previous ownership.

As part of the new structure, Rick Catania and Alec Lundberg will serve as Co-Operating Managers of Reading Women, helping to oversee the strategic development and growth of the women’s and girls’ programme as it returns to the wider football club.

The club can also confirm that Women’s First Team Manager Ed Jackson-Norris and Head of Women’s and Girls’ Football Emma Hopkins will remain in their current roles as part of the new structure, continuing the work that has helped sustain and develop the programme in recent years.

The Women’s First Team will be joined by the club’s Under-16s and Under-14s sides within the new structure, helping to re-establish a clear pathway for young female players to progress through the ranks at Reading.

Co-Operating Manager Rick Catania paid tribute to the work carried out by the Community Trust and outlined the club’s ambitions for the future.

“We’re phenomenally grateful to the Community Trust for keeping the women’s team alive,” said Catania.

“There were a lot of people who cared deeply about making sure the team continued, and we’re thankful for everything they’ve done.

“Having a women’s football club is an important part of being a community club. Reading has a proud history in the women’s game and, over time, we want to restore the prestige and success that this club has enjoyed in the past.

“To do that, we felt it was important to bring the team back into the wider football club and give it access to the facilities, support and resources available here.”

For Head of Women’s and Girls’ Football Emma Hopkins, the announcement marks a significant moment following a challenging period for the programme.

“As you say, the last couple of years have been really challenging for the women and girls’ side of things,” said Hopkins.

“I think, in terms of my time at the club, it’s probably my proudest achievement that we’ve been able to continue the pathway and the women’s team over the last couple of years in really difficult circumstances.

“We have to thank Reading FC Community Trust for their support over the last couple of years in making it possible for the women and girls to continue. Now, we’re just really excited for the future.”

One of the most significant changes supporters will notice is the return of women’s football to Reading, with the Women’s First Team set to play selected matches at the Select Car Leasing Stadium during the 2026/27 season.

“I think any first team that represents Reading Football Club should have the opportunity to play at the Select Car Leasing Stadium,” added Catania.

“We’re delighted that Reading Women will be returning to the stadium as part of this next chapter.”

Women’s First Team Manager Ed Jackson-Norris believes the move is another major step forward for a group that has worked tirelessly in recent years.

“Although we ultimately fell short in what we wanted to do last year, the biggest achievement was that we’ve given people permission to believe and dream again,” he said.

“Everyone associated with the women’s side of the football club can now look to the future with optimism and be excited about what’s to come.

“To have that dream in the back of your mind about seeing a Reading team win trophies, win league titles and get promotions, rather than looking forward with dread at what might happen next, that’s certainly our biggest achievement.

“This announcement is only going to fuel that and build the excitement even further.”

The return to the Select Car Leasing Stadium for selected fixtures has been warmly welcomed by players and staff alike.

“It makes me giddy with excitement thinking about it, to be honest with you,” Jackson-Norris continued.

“Arbour Park has been incredible for us and has really become a home over the last couple of years. They’ve been really welcoming and we’ve worked hard to make it feel like Reading on a matchday.

“But to be back sharing the ground with the club, with blue and white seats everywhere and the Reading badge all around you, that’s huge for us.

“It should inspire and motivate the players, but it also means the local community can get more involved.”

Players will also train at Bearwood Park, with the club’s state-of-the-art training ground becoming home to the Women’s First Team and academy age groups.

Co-Operating Manager Alec Lundberg believes the move will provide an ideal environment for the continued development of players throughout the pathway.

“Bearwood Park is football heaven,” said Lundberg.

“Everybody who kicks a football should have the opportunity to do so in an environment like that.

“Bringing the Women’s First Team, Under-16s and Under-14s back into the club helps create a pathway for young players and allows us to continue the tradition of developing talented footballers at Reading.”

Hopkins added: “Having access to world-class facilities is going to be amazing for both the players and staff.

“We’re aspiring to move back up the leagues and having access to facilities of this quality can only help us on that journey.”

The strengthened pathway was another key factor behind the move, with the club keen to continue developing local talent.

“It’s essential,” said Jackson-Norris.

“This football club has a fantastic history of developing players on both the men’s and women’s side and that’s something we’re really passionate about continuing.

“Just last season, four of our Under-16s made their First Team debuts. It’s really important that we can provide a pathway for talented local girls to come through and aspire to represent the badge.”

The club can also confirm that it plans to live stream Women’s First Team fixtures on Reading FC’s official YouTube channel, potentially allowing supporters around the world to follow the team throughout the season.

Lundberg paid tribute to the work carried out by Hopkins and Jackson-Norris in recent years.

“Ed and Emma have done a fantastic job,” he said.

“The quality of football, the environment they’ve created and the work they’ve done to keep everything moving forward has been brilliant.

“We’re excited to continue working with them and to build on the strong foundations that are already in place.”

Supporters will continue to play a vital role in the team’s development.

“Even though we’ve been playing in Slough over the last couple of years, we’ve had a core group of supporters who have followed us everywhere and have been amazing,” said Hopkins.

“They’re a really key part of what we’re trying to build here.

“It’s really exciting that we’re going to be back at the Select Car Leasing Stadium and hopefully get more people through the gates and cheering on the team.”

For those yet to watch Reading Women in action, Jackson-Norris has a simple message.

“What are you doing? Come down and watch us.

“We provide a really family-friendly atmosphere, it’s a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon, and you’ll see entertaining, front-footed football.

“I guarantee you’ll want to come back.”

Looking ahead, ambitions remain high.

“The aim next season is to get out of Tier Five and win promotion to the Women’s National League,” said Hopkins.

“It’s going to be a really competitive division, but we feel we’ll be very much part of that conversation.”

Jackson-Norris added: “We want to win.

“We want to continue growing attendances, continue developing the pathway and continue being a positive influence in the community.

“If we can do all of those things, we’ll have had an incredible year.”

Further information regarding fixtures, ticketing and the 2026/27 season will be announced in due course.