University extends partnership with FA to run Women’s High-Performance Football Centre

University of Gloucestershire has renewed its partnership with the Football Association to operate a national Women’s High-Performance Football Centre (WHPFC) aimed at inspiring the next generation of coaches, following England’s success at Euro 2022.

The WHPFC at the University was set up in partnership with the FA in January 2018 to provide an educational and community-based setting to recruit and develop coaches to lead and encourage player development in the women’s and girls’ game.

Based at the University’s Oxstalls Campus, the WHPFC provides a range of student placement opportunities in areas such as strength and conditioning, sport therapy, performance analysis, marketing, media and business management.  

The WHPFC also enables talented players from across the women’s football pyramid to access coaching, sports science, sports medicine and scholarship opportunities in an academic and community environment. 

The University has renewed its partnership with the FA to continue operating its WHPFC – one of 10 national centres – until July 2024.

Matthew Tansley, Director of Sport and Physical Wellbeing at the University, said: “University of Gloucestershire has been working closely with the FA on this project for a number of years.

“It is an initiative which is producing an inclusive, high-quality workforce for the future of the women’s game, engaging the local community and ensuring our students have the opportunity to develop themselves personally and professionally.”

FA Women’s Pathway Coach Developer Lead, Abbie Sadler, said: “The opportunities the programme creates will be invaluable to coaches and the wider workforce wanting to take their next steps in women’s football. 

“We are also thrilled to have extended our partnership with all the universities we work with for another two years and cannot wait to continue the great work in the women’s and girls’ game.

“With 10 centres across the country, there’s real depth and breadth to the programme and opportunities for coaches nationwide.”