Meet the Women’s Under-21s squad

We are delighted to introduce the 24 players who will form as our Women’s Under-21s for the 2024/25 Professional Game Academy League campaign, with 15 new first year’s included.

In between the sticks for us this season is Liamara Hensel-Burg and Erin Radbourne, while in the defensive ranks, we have Emily McMaster who will captain the side for the new term.

Grace Breen, Beatrice Cunnison, Blue Bartlett-Antwi, Zara Bailey and Evie Northwood – who are both involved with England Under-17s – before Heidi Hills and Lucy Barraclough round off the defenders.

Elkie Bowyer is one of two third year's in the squad, with Kendra Brown, Fran Hamer, Rania Oukriss, who has featured for Morocco at Under-17 level, Ruby Mace and Ruby Gaitley also in midfield.

Forward Mia Endacott joins us from FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division side, Plymouth Argyle, where she scored three goals in 15 senior appearances last season, and has also been involved for England at Under-17 level.

Joining us in attack alongside Mia is Eloise Hall, Maia Lazarro, the forward joined Watford on dual-registration for the 2024/25 campaign, Cruz Fuller-Fagan, Faye Fields-Davis, Jhanaie Pierre, who has recently been named in the England U17s squad for the first time this month, Jess Winstone-Adair and Persis Oteng, who has been with Ghana at Under-20 level.

Nick Hardy said: “It’s a really exciting time for the group of players and the wider department, we are excited for the season ahead. It has been a good pre-season; the staff and players have worked exceptionally hard and we are really pleased with how we are shaping going into the new season.

“We really looking forward to a positive campaign, on and off the pitch, with plenty of opportunities to develop and improve. We have an interesting but an important blend in the Under-21s group, with those that have been around for a while within our programme to all those that are new, so that mix of players is very important.

“That’s what increases the excitement is having different types of players, both on and off the pitch, and we have quite high expectations for the group, individually and collectively.”

Full squad

Goalkeepers: Liamara Hensel-Burg (2nd year), Erin Radbourne (1st year).

Defenders: Emily McMaster (C) (2nd year), Grace Breen (1st year), Beatrice Cunnison (1st year), Blue Bartlett-Antwi (1st year), Zara Bailey (1st year), Evie Northwood (1st year), Heidi Hills (1st year), Lucy Barraclough (1st year).

Midfielders: Elkie Bowyer (3rd year), Kendra Brown (2nd year), Fran Hamer (1st year), Rania Oukriss (1st year), Ruby Mace (1st year), Ruby Gaitely (1st year).

Forwards: Persis Oteng (3rd year), Eloise Hall (2nd year), Maia Lazarro (2nd year), Cruz Fuller-Fagan (2nd year), Faye Fields-Davis (2nd year), Jhanaie Pierre (1st year), Jess Winstone-Adair (1st year), Mia Endacott (1st year).