BTC is delighted to announce that our application to become the host of an FA Girls’ Football School Partnership – supported by Barclays Strategic Lead, has been accepted and we have been invited to join the girls football network from September 2021.
The Football Association supported by Barclays and the Youth Sport Trust have recruited a network of education-based partnerships with schools throughout England. Known as FA Girls’ Football School Partnerships – supported by Barclays, they are strategic partnerships with families of schools that are committed to the growth and development of girls’ football. BTC are one of few other schools/colleges across the country who are passionate about driving forward the vision to ensure every girl has equal access to football in school by 2024.
The FA Girls’ Football School Partnerships will also allow us to create a pathway for young footballers who have aspirations to play at an Elite level and study any course BTC have to offer. With becoming successful applicants we will receive a £6,000 grant to help support us with this project.
Leah Burridge, Senior Sports Development Apprentice for BTC submitted the application and is excited to have been successful for Team BTC. Leah said,
With my resilience and passion, I believe this position will allow me to make an everlasting effect on the female game by ensuring every girl in Sedgemoor has equal access to football in school by 2024. I have a highly driven team that I will work alongside and support me throughout. We can collaborate and share best practice to allow the programme to become successful.
Our students will support the Youth Sport Trust staff in their deliveries of sessions in schools and help organise the football events that take place throughout the year. Students will then be looked at as role models to young inspiring footballers who may be considering a College sports pathway.
Our successful partnership with Bridgwater United FC Women continues to develop players within our dual career framework. The College’s Team BTC programme is a dual-career academy, where education and sporting development is considered equally.
Leah Burridge, Senior Sports Development Apprentice, spoke of the importance of this partnership for our current and future students. She said,
It’s important that we utilise all our knowledge of women’s football to show Head Teachers and Heads of PE why it’s vital that we shift the narrative of boys being taught football and girls being taught netball. I think it’s extremely important that we speak about the FA’s visions and four-year plan regarding women’s football and where it will be in the next four years.
