Young women offered full‑time football route

A football club is working with a college to offer young women the opportunity to play full-time sport alongside their higher education studies.

The partnership between Hull City Ladies and Bishop Burton College has created an under 21s academy which will be open to females aged 16 and over.

The college already runs a female football academy programme, and hoped the arrangement would encourage more players to stay in the area.

Chris Hames, Hull City Ladies manager and the women and girls programme lead at the college, said: "This is the first opportunity for young female footballers to approach football on a full-time basis in our region."

He added: "It's giving players the key educational skills and tools alongside access to training and games, so neither has to be compromised in pursuit of their career.

"This is a huge step for the area, the football club and the college."

The college said it would also create a development squad to help players progress from grassroots sport to the professional game.

Players will primarily study sport or business, but students on other courses would still be able to take part, the college confirmed.

Sophie Haywood, the head of medical at the college, who played professionally for the likes of Aston Villa and Newcastle United said the programme would be "really valuable."

The current Hull City Ladies player added: "I had to go to America to get an education alongside playing in a full-time capacity, so to be able to offer that locally is so important.

"As a professional player I've had to choose between education or football on many occasions.

"Being able to go somewhere which offers first-class education and football training means players don't have to be put in that position."

Trials to join the programme will take place at the college on 18 February. Further trial dates will be announced for Easter, July and August, the college added.

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