St Mary’s University in Twickenham has expanded its partnership with the FA to deliver a Women’s High Performance Football Centre (WHPFC) until 2024.
The project supports the training and recruitment of new coaches within female football, and subsequently, supports the FA’s ambition to improve the quality of coaching in the women’s game.
St Mary’s was among 10 universities chosen to take part in the FA scheme.
Andrew Smith, Head of Sport at St Mary’s said: “St Mary’s is delighted to extend our partnership with the FA, and to continue to support women’s and girls’ football to keep it progressing.”
With over 20 sport-related degree programmes taught there, the Twickenham-based university already has a reputation as a leading institution for both sport and teaching.
The establishment of a WHPFC in Twickenham will further benefit students studying at St Mary’s.
The WHPFC’s connection to the England talent pathway and FA Women’s Super League clubs, provides talented players with an opportunity to pursue both their academic and football ambitions through a range of services such as coaching, sports medicine and scholarships.
The performance centre also offers a varied range of placements from strength and conditioning to media and business management.
These placements help to provide students with a practical opportunity to apply what they have learned in their studies.
The introduction of the high-performance centre at St Mary’s comes off the back of the Lionesses’ victory at the Euros this summer.
Sports Development Manager Gareth Crewe said in a statement: “Many people will be inspired to take up the game based on the feelings they experienced and the more people that play is very likely to have an impact on the growing strength of the women’s football pyramid.
“Further to this, there is now a blueprint of success to follow and for clubs and the national team to continue to build upon.”
To find out more about the WHPFC at St Mary’s, please visit the University website.
Featured image credit: St Mary’s University, Twickenham
