Torquay United Women FC are delighted to announce we have affiliated an Under 18 side with our County FA. For the 2019/20 season, we won’t be entering a league but will be playing a structured programme of friendly games against other Under 18 age group sides from around the South West.
There are a number of reasons we have made the decision to form an Under 18 side.
- Support Current TUWFL players – We already have a number of players signed on for our Senior team (Neave, Tash, Kasey and Shannon) who are still also eligible to play Under 18 football. The South West Regional Women’s Premier League is an incredibly tough and demanding league and we feel that having an Under 18 side will give these identified players the opportunity for more playing minutes against players of a similar age which will ultimately enhance their individual development and contribute towards an improvement of the standard of our Senior team.
- Pathway to the Senior Squad – The Devon Girls Football League currently have no Under 16 or Under 18 league for the current season, meaning there are many girls aged 15-17 in Torbay and South Devon without teams who are probably not quite ready to be thrown into women’s football but are still keen for the opportunity to play competitive football. We have a number of players in this situation who are currently attending the Torquay United CST Girls Development centre who I am certain will be very keen to take up this opportunity. There will be clear opportunities for players (aged 16+) who impress in the Under 18 fixtures to progress into competitive football in the Senior side.
Positive discussions have already been held with a number of other Under 18 sides in the region, including Plymouth Argyle and AFC Devonport, about organising fixtures so we will hopefully have some confirmed dates fixed in the near future.
We are actively looking to recruit players for the newly formed Under 18 side. To be eligible, players must be in school year 11, 12 or 13 for the 2019/20 academic year.
Any interested players/parents should contact Under 18 Team Manager Jamie McInnes – jamiemcinnes@torquayunited.com