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Spring 2022Rochdale AFC appointed as female football talent hub

Young women in Rochdale have been given the opportunity to be identified and referred to the FA Lioness Talent Pathway, thanks to a partnership between the FA, EFL Trust, Rochdale AFC Ladies and Rochdale AFC Community Trust.

The talent inclusion programme ensures that through the existing community activities of EFL club community organisations, female participants can be identified and referred to the FA Lioness Talent Pathway. Social class, ethnicity and demographics should not be a barrier to success.

Ryan Bradley, community director at Rochdale AFC Community Trust and acting chairman at Rochdale AFC Ladies, said: “We are delighted to be appointed as a talent inclusion hub, supporting talented young female footballers to achieve their potential.

“Rochdale is a hot bed of raw sporting talent and we now have the resources and pathways to identify talent and ensure players are developed to their full potential, whether that’s with Rochdale AFC Ladies, school, grassroots or within the England set up.

“It’s taken a lot of work by various people throughout the years to get us to this stage and we can’t wait to get started.”

Rochdale AFC Community Trust will be supported by an education and learning programme managed by the EFL Trust and supported by the FA.

For girls showing potential, the programme creates a pathway from community to full England honours, with an educated workforce that identifies and supports potential.

Rochdale AFC Community Trust will develop their own talent ID programme, working closely with Rochdale AFC Ladies, schools and grassroots clubs.

Rochdale AFC Ladies are currently recruiting for all teams, from U10s to U16s, and have appointed Emma Flynn as female football lead.

To get involved with Rochdale AFC Ladies, whether as a talented player or newcomer to the sport, or to find out more about the FA Lioness Talent Pathway, email: