Girls Football
About the Programme
The programme provides aspiring young footballers, serious about their sport, the opportunity to combine regular training with their academic studies. This is a fantastic opportunity for student athletes to improve as players whilst learning more about the game.
The EPD Footballers will be supported and supervised during their academic learning, conditioning programmes, technical & tactical development and competitive programmes whilst inspiring the players to live by our core values of Commitment, Humility and discipline. Those pupils who attend day release sessions will also be supported with 1-1 tuition to maintain academic progress.
What is involved?
Pupils will have two sessions a week before school, ensuring a healthy balance between academic achievement and athletic progress. Coaching sessions will look to develop players’ core skills and techniques as well as developing a game understanding.
The group will be split in to 2:
(U12/U13)
Technical development (mastering the basic core skills and techniques whilst looking at position specific roles and responsibilities)
Tactical understanding (including player analysis)
Physical Development (building a body for the game)
(U14/U15)
Technical development (concentrating on position specific roles and responsibilities)
Tactical understanding (including player analysis)
Physical Development (building a body for the game)
Each player will be expected to represent the school in district, county cup and national cup fixtures whilst also being encouraged to play a higher standard of football at club level outside of school, if not already doing so. Their progress will be monitored closely and trials will be offered within professional clubs should the player show they are playing at the level required. As of the 2022/23 season we have had 11 pupils go on to secure scholarships at clubs.
Pupil successes from the programme
Ruby M – Manchester City FC and England U23s
Helen D – Arsenal FC U23s
Meet the coaches
Miss S Paci
Role at Woodlands:
Teacher of PE and Girls Football Lead
Coaching History:
Stef has experience in both coaching as well as playing football. She currently plays for Millwall FC. Her previous clubs include; West Ham United, Crystal Palace, London Bees and Hashtag United, as well as representing her county.
Alongside her role at Woodlands, Stef coaches around the local area running technical sessions for youth clubs and Wildcats sessions for young girls getting into football. As well as this, she also coaches the U11 Girls Basildon district team.
Mr Manners
Role at Woodlands:
Subject Lead of PE and Head of EPD Football
Coaching Qualifications:
UEFA B License
FA Youth Modules 1 & 2
Coaching History:
Previous to his role here at Woodlands, Billy spent 2 years coaching for the Football Development department at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. After leaving Tottenham, he spent 18 months coaching for Chelsea Football Club before becoming a qualified PE teacher. Billy was also an academy coach at Southend United Football Club during the 2016/17 season. He currently works for a Cat 2 academy as a scout and has built up links with various professional clubs. He also runs the Basildon District Schools FA.
For More Information, Please Contact Miss Paci – spi@woodlandsschool.essex.sch.uk
