The PHILOSOPHY of the Plymouth Argyle Girls Centre of Excellence is:
Plymouth Argyle Girls Centre of Excellence is 1 of 52 Centres throughout England who are an integral part of The FA’s female player development pathway and is the pinnacle from which our Youth International players are selected.
The ‘Philosophy’ of the Centre is to disseminate technical, tactical and theoretical information to each player stimulating the players learning. Encompassing the principles of Long Term Player Development (LTPD) as set out in the FA LTPD Introductory Guide for Women and Girls’ Football.
The AIMS of the Plymouth Argyle Girls Centre of Excellence are:
• To identify and recruit the most talented girls, within the locality (1 ½ hours) 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
The OBJECTIVES of the Plymouth Argyle Girls Centre of Excellence are:
• 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
Player Development
FA Centres of Excellence ensure optimum development of our talented players. They provide a specific, progressive and well planned training, practice, competition and recovery programme.
They adhere to Long Term Player Development principles, ensuring technical, physical, tactical, psychological and social preparation based on the FA’s 4 corner model. There are a maximum number of fixtures a player must not exceed and this is monitored to safeguard the player from overuse which ultimately can lead to injury.
The players play differing variations of the game (e.g. 7v7, 9v9) to support their continued development. All 4 age groups (U10, U12, U14 and U16) play in a developmental games programme.
Fixture Programme
Plymouth Argyle Girls Centre of Excellence play within the South West fixtures programme (20 fixtures per season) containing:
1, Bristol Academy Women's FC
2, Cornwall FA
3, Dorset FA
4, Gloucestershire FA
5, Plymouth Argyle Ladies FC
6, Somerset FA
7, Wiltshire FA
All talented girls aged between 8-16 are actively encouraged to join the Plymouth Argyle Girls Centre of Excellence where they will be developed in a player supportive environment that adheres to Long Term Player Development principles.
Plymouth Argyle Girls Centre of Excellence must adhere to strict FA criteria and regulations and they are regularly monitored and evaluated by FA staff to ensure this. Players are trained a minimum of twice per week in the season, will have fitness, nutrition and dietary support and will play in a regular regional fixture programme.
Devon County FA is committed to ensure that grassroots clubs are supported to recruit players so that the whole pathway of player development is sustained.
For more information on the Plymouth Argyle Girls Centre of Excellence please contact:
Mark Young
Girls' and Women's Football Development Officer
Devon FA
01626 325919
07973 312146
or email mark.young@devonfa.com