In a bid to champion inclusivity and diversity within the realm of football, a groundbreaking initiative is set to launch, aiming to pave the way for young girls to forge careers in women’s football.
Dubbed the Girls’ Football Scholarship, this innovative program is slated to kick off in September, offering a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport tailored for 16 to 19-year-olds aspiring to carve a path as professional footballers, physiotherapists, referees, or coaches.
Operating over a two-year span, the course is a collaborative effort between The New Saints FC Foundation, the charitable arm of Oswestry’s The New Saints football club, and North Shropshire College’s Oswestry campus, where it will be based.
Under the tutelage of a UEFA qualified coach, students enrolled in the scholarship will have the invaluable opportunity to not only hone their skills but also to collaborate and compete alongside TNS FC teams, fostering a holistic understanding of the sport.
Unlike its male counterpart, which primarily focuses on nurturing professional players, this scholarship is meticulously crafted to offer a comprehensive insight into the myriad career pathways within the women’s game.
Shauna Duffy, head of women and girls’ football at The New Saints FC, elucidated on the program’s significance, stating, “We have to accept that the women’s game is not as far forward and there are not as many opportunities to play full time. This scholarship offers lots of different ways of pursuing a full-time career in football not just as a professional player but as a coach or a referee or a physio.”
With its multifaceted approach, the Girls’ Football Scholarship endeavors to dismantle barriers and empower young girls to realize their full potential within the vibrant realm of women’s football.
