Girls football to flourish at Teesside University

Teesside is leading the way for the next generation of female footballers after being the only University in the country chosen as a FA Girls’ Centre of Excellence.

The University is also the only Centre of Excellence in the North East and will be a leading light for regional girls’ football.

As a Centre of Excellence the region’s top female footballers will have access to our state of the art facilities, coaching expertise and sport science fitness support.

The Centre aims to produce female footballers of international calibre and already has a number of junior England players on its books.

As a FA Girls’ Centre of Excellence, Teesside University sits proudly alongside other prestigious Centres such as Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Steven Wade, County Development Manager at North Riding County Football Association, said: 'We are delighted that Teesside University has been granted a FA Licence to run a Girls’ Centre of Excellence.

'Access to their state of the art facilities and sports science expertise, together with their excellent coaching programme will help to ensure that the talented female players in the region have the best possible chance to realise their potential.'

The girls at the Centre train twice a week and are split into five age categories, from under 9s to under 17s, with the under 17s playing in a competitive league and cup.

Absolutely delighted Paul Kreczak, Centre Manager, said: 'We are absolutely delighted to have Teesside University as a FA Centre of Excellence – to be the only university in the country to have this accolade shows what a remarkable achievement it is.

'There are some really talented girls here and our aim is to help them flourish and hopefully reach international level.

'The facilities at the University are fantastic and the expertise of the staff here will really help to bring the girls’ game on – I can’t wait to see what we can achieve.'

One of the unique aspects about Teesside University FA Girls’ Centre of Excellence is the access to sport science fitness support.

The sport science service at the University has highly qualified and experienced staff, accredited with the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences.

The girls are given fitness testing four times per year, which has been specifically tailored to provide information on the most important components of fitness for football. Their strength and conditioning is also monitored to help with injury reduction and improve functional movement.

Matthew Wright, Sports Development Officer (Elite Sport) at Teesside University, said: 'This is bespoke sport science support. Not only will the girls have access to regular, in-depth training and expert coaching, but our sport science service here at the University will help them to maximise their fitness and conditioning. 'If girls in this region are serious about football, then there is no better place for them.'

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