Askham Bryan College Expands Harrogate Town Football Pathway with Launch of Female Academy Following U19 Success

Askham Bryan College is set to expand its successful Harrogate Town Football Pathway with the launch of a new female academy for students enrolling from September 2027. The expansion of the academy will give aspiring female footballers the opportunity to combine high-level football training with a Level 1, 2 or 3 Sport qualification.

The new female academy builds on the success of the college’s thriving male football pathway which launched this September. The programme has already made a strong impact, reaching the second round of the NFYL Cup and second place position in the league.

The introduction of a female academy reflects the growing demand for opportunities in women’s football and reinforces the college’s commitment to providing talented young athletes with access to professional coaching, competitive football and further education.

Students joining the programme will benefit from expert coaching, regular fixtures and a supportive learning environment, helping them develop the skills, knowledge and experience needed to progress within the game while gaining recognised qualifications.

Evan Woodworth, Academy Business Development Manager at Askham Bryan College said: “The success of our men’s football programme has created a proven pathway for aspiring players, demonstrating what can be achieved through high-quality coaching, competitive fixtures and strong progression opportunities. The female pathway will be equally as important, ensuring talented female players have access to the same level of support, development and opportunity to reach their potential. Our aim is to provide a clear route for every player, regardless of gender, to develop both on and off the pitch.”

Josh Falkingham, Harrogate Town Director of Youth Football, added: “This is a super exciting development and a really big moment for our girls’ pathway. It’s something I’ve wanted to implement in my role for a while, so to now be able to take this step alongside Askham Bryan College is fantastic. Creating more opportunities for young female footballers to develop their ability, gain qualifications and progress in the game is hugely important, and this partnership will help us build a strong pathway for the future.”

Students interested in joining the new pathway can attend a trial event at Askham Bryan College on Wednesday 28 October 2026, from 10:00am to 1:00pm, where they will have the opportunity to learn more about the partnership, meet the coaching team and showcase their ability on the pitch.

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