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Girls Centre of Excellence

The Oxford United Girls Centre of Excellence was formed in 2007 and is run in conjunction with the Oxfordshire FA. Oxford United Football Club is one of 52 Centre's throughout England that are an integral part of The FA's female player development pathway which is the pinnacle from which Youth International players are selected.

The Centre of Excellence has a 32-week development programme in place which sees the girls train twice a week at Tilsley Park Abingdon and Oxford Hawks Hockey and Tennis Club Oxford. Games, either home or away are played on Saturday mornings against teams such as Chelsea, Charlton, Fulham and Reading. Home games are played at the Bicester Sports Association, Chesterton, Bicester.

The Centre of Excellence develops teams at Under 10, Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 levels. The Centre also works very closely with the Oxford United Academy and Oxford United Ladies providing opportunities for the girls to progress further.

The Centre itself draws on the skills and experience of a variety of people from Oxford United including the coaching, medical, welfare and administrative staff.

The aims and objectives of the Oxford United Centre of Excellence are as follows:-

Centre of Excellence Aims:

• To identify and recruit the most talented girls, within the locality of the Centre of Excellence
• To provide quality coaching, education and welfare at all age groups, and at all levels
• To enhance player development, incorporating the principles of LTPD and the FA's 4 Corner Model, providing individuals with both technical, physiological, psychological and social knowledge to achieve their full potential
• To identify, recruit and develop the most talented coaches within the locality of the Centre of Excellence
• To implement a comprehensive coach mentoring programme for the development of female coaches
• Centre Directors as first line scouts, to work closely with the international teams to make sure any potential international player has the opportunity to be scouted
• To be advocates for and 'live' best practice in terms of developing female players, officials and coaches in line with The FA's Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures

Centre of Excellence Objectives:

• To develop players to a standard consistent with the highest levels in women's football
• To recommend players for national U15 and U17 selection if deemed at the appropriate standard
• To establish squads for Under 10, Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 age groups
• To establish a challenging and structured technical programme, incorporating the principles of LTPD, which is to be followed by all coaching staff
• To provide a suitable games programme for all age groups

Oxford United Centre of Excellence Structure:

Richard Blackmore - Centre of Excellence Director
Tim Roberts - Assistant Centre of Excellence Director

Tim Roberts - Under 16's Head Coach
TBC- Under 16's Assistant Coach

Matty Brandish - Under 14's Head Coach
Leon Blackmore-such - Under 14's Assistant Coach

Lauren Spraggs - Under 12's Head Coach
Wayne Ball - Under 12's Assistant Coach

Helen Finlay - Under 10's Head Coach
Chris Lowes - Under 10's Assistant Coach

Alan Foster - Goalkeeping Coach

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