Newcastle United Foundation celebrate International Women’s Day with promise double the number of girls playing football

Newcastle United Foundation hosted an inspirational training session for young players for International Women’s Day.

Led by players Daisy Burt and Cara Milne-Redhead, the session was part of the Foundation’s Emerging Talent Centre which provides development opportunities for U12 girls.

Through the ETC, the club wants to develop their involvement with grassroots clubs and create a talent pathway to play for Newcastle United Women or internationally.

Burt, who was called up to the England U18s squad last month, said: “It’s amazing to see the opportunities available for girls and young women to get involved in football today- the women’s game has changed so much, even since I was growing up and playing, which is exactly what’s needed.

“I have so much pride playng for Newcastle United Women and it’s an honour for me to wear the badge every time I walk out onto the pitch. I know girls here will have the same dreams as I did at their age- to wear the badge and play at St. James’ Park.”

Both forward Katie Barker and winger Erin Nelson began their careers through the Foundation’s Football Development programme.

During the International Women’s Day session , Burt and Milne-Redhead shared advice with the U9s, spoke about their footballing heroes and said what it was like to play at St James’ Park.

Lisa Bell, inclusion manager at Newcastle United Foundation, said: “We have great ambitions for our Emerging Talent Centre and to increase the opportunities for young women and girls to play and enjoy sport.

“The purpose of the ETC is to identfy and develop players of the future by providing local and accessible high-quality training environments. Through the programme, we aim to double the number of girls in the system and ensure any young player can access the ETC within an hour’s drive from their home.”

Their goal is accessibility, hopfully doubling the number of training environments for young players in order diversfy and better players progressing through the pathway.

Milne-Redhead’s own experience into football was very different explaining: “There were no opportunities for me to join a women’s or girl’s team or club nearby and the only way to play was to get involved through the boys’ pathway.

“It makes me so proud that girls now have the opportunity to play at whatever ability or level they want to without the limitations or barriers many of us playing today had to face.”

On Newcastle United Women’s future, Lisa concludes: “We are making good progress towards levelling the field, but it is important to recognise there is still room for more to be done. It is especially on days like International Women’s Day, where we can celebrate success but also look at what we can improve for future generations.”