Tottenham Hotspur Women to launch WSL Dual Career Academy

We are delighted to announce that we shall be launching a Barclays FA Women’s Super League (WSL) Dual Career Academy for the 2020/21 season in partnership with the Football Association.

The FA WSL Academy Squad will link directly with the Tottenham Hotspur Women First Team, with the strategy of graduating players into this environment when viable.

What is a FA WSL Dual Career Academy?

Launched by the FA in the 2018/19 season, the programme is designed to provide talented players between the ages of 16 and 21 years old with a programme which has a multi-disciplinary approach. This includes extended medical provision, individual strength and conditioning support, education and lifestyle guidance, as well as a football coaching and competition programme delivered by UEFA A and B licence coaches. As this is a 50/50 dual career programme, all participants’ education or work commitments will be balanced with the training schedule.

What are the commitments for the WSL Academy Squad?

The finalised training schedule will be communicated once trials are complete. However, training is likely to be on a Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoon/early evening, as well as a morning training session at the weekend. The national fixture programme will take place on Wednesdays in a national league and cup format against other WSL Academy-licenced clubs. Due to the nature of the training schedule and the balance with education, we shall not permit players registered to the WSL Academy to play for other clubs at the weekend.

How will the programme affect a player’s education?

The schedule is designed so that players are not limited to a single educational establishment. We shall be taking applications from players no matter what their individual education and career paths may be. Players are expected to attend every training session for the Academy and individual queries can be discussed during trials and at the interview stage. If players are still exploring their options for next year, the Club also runs girls’ football programmes at Barnet and Southgate College and New City College.

Trials

Two open trials for the FA WSL Dual Career Academy will be held at Cheshunt FC on the following dates. Players must register in advance in order to take part.

Saturday 22 February – 11am-1pm – grass
Friday 20 March – 7pm – 3G

Second stage trials
Wednesday 8 April – 1-4pm – grass

Final trial and interview
Wednesday 15 April – 1-4pm – grass

Register for the FA WSL Dual Career Academy trials now.