LCFC Women: Academy Pathway Attains Tier 1 Status

- LCFC Women Academy to operate a new Tier 1 Professional Game Academy
- The FA has announced significant changes to its women’s player pathway system
- Restructure designed to attract and develop world-class talent to deliver sustained success
- Monique Robinson has signed professional terms after progressing through the pathway

The Tier 1 Pro Game Academy, which focuses on Under-16s and Under-21s age groups, will also include significantly enhanced coaching and performance investment, as well as being supported by a new Emerging Talent Centre structure for younger age groups.

This new pathway comes at a time of rapid growth for LCFC Women and women’s football, with the Football Club now further strengthening its commitment towards providing a world-class route into the game for aspiring young talent throughout the country.

The Club can also confirm that 18-year-old midfielder Monique Robinson has signed professional terms after plotting her own route through the LCFC Women Academy Pathway to the First Team. This is a further demonstration of the Club’s commitment to development and a journey that, with the implementation of the new Professional Game Academy Programme, will be replicated many times in the coming seasons.  

With the promotion of participation and elite development at its heart, the new structure is aimed at driving the long-term development of the women’s game – a commitment shared by all at LCFC Women, whose football operations have been based at the Club’s elite training facility at Belvoir Drive since 2021.

Leicester City Chief Executive Susan Whelan said: “The achievement of Tier 1 status in the FA’s Professional Game Academy programme is a significant milestone for LCFC Women and a step towards our long-term aims of attracting, developing, and retaining outstanding female talent.

“The progress of Monique Robinson – who has completed the journey all the way along our Academy pathway to joining the Women’s First Team squad – is a perfect example of our vision for this model and the future of LCFC Women.

“Our Tier 1 status is not only exciting for our vision of delivering sustained on-pitch success, but it also provides opportunities for bright young talent to participate and develop in a leading environment through investment in the Emerging Talent Centre for our youngest age groups. 

“These changes are also underpinned by increased investment in coaching and performance structure around our Academy pathway, ensuring that we continue to strive for a progressive environment that gives us the best chance to develop homegrown players that can deliver first-team success and contribute to the growth of the women’s game.”

Designed to develop players in all aspects of life, the programme will provide first-class education and lifestyle support alongside it's elite coaching schedule for girls of all ages. An unparalleled programme, support will range from curriculum provision, active and healthy lifestyle advice to post graduate and foundation degree opportunities.

On-pitch work will see an elite coaching network functioning towards the development of an effective pathway that will prepare players to compete at the highest level of the sport - all while maintaining a clearly aligned, safe and inclusive Club environment for youngsters to thrive.

A community-based Sister Club model and the introduction of an Emerging Talent Centre will also see younger players offered the opportunity to explore their footballing potential in technical development sessions while playing regular competitive football in a community setting. The Foxes' Sister Clubs and Emerging Talent Centre will also receive the benefit of coaching sessions delivered by coaches from LCFC Women’s Academy Pathway, alongside a host of other benefits.

As part of the new structure, a new Head of Academy position will also be created and in place to oversee the day-to-day running of the new programme from the 2023/24 season. The robust framework will serve the purpose of developing home grown Academy players that deliver First-Team standards and success.