For 2011/2012 the Centre of Excellence programme is changing and the number of CoE's are being reduced across the country, however, a programme of Player Development Centre's will be opening up within the player pathway. (Details of these can now be found in the Girls' PDC section).
The Centres provide quality coaching and a localised fixture programme for talented girls from the age of 8-16years. The FA provides a substantial grant per season to each Centre to assist with the running of their programmes and gives them direction.
The ‘Philosophy’ of each centre is to disseminate both technical and theoretical information to each player stimulating the player’s learning. To this end, the precept must be to promote a player-centred approach allowing the ‘game to be the teacher’ when appropriate and encompass the principles of LTPD (Long Term Player Development) as set out in The FA LTPD Introductory Guide.
Therefore, each centre must consider the needs of each player and take account of their developmental stage from a growth, development and maturation perspective and implement a programme to develop young players who have and can maximise their potential in the short, but ultimately in, the longer term 96% of all England women players have attended a Centre of Excellence - this shows this is the pathway that future England Internationals should hopefully be coming through.
Centre of Excellence trials are held in the month of June every year.
Your nearest Centre of Excellence is Arsenal, Cambridge, Middlesex, Milton Keynes or Colchester.
If you have or your daughter has been unsuccessful at a Centre of Excellence trial and you are looking for a suitable team in Hertfordshire please do not hesitate to contact Louisa on 01462 650219 who will be able to help with finding a team.