Barclays Talent Education Programme launched in schools across England

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England Communications

The FA and Barclays launch Talent Education Programme to support promising female players in schools.

MORE: TALENT IN EDUCATION

To ensure every talented girl has the opportunity to pursue her ambition of playing professional football, The FA and Barclays have launched the Barclays Talent Education Programme in schools across England.

The new initiative will provide targeted support for high-potential players aged 8-16 within the school system, helping them to thrive both on the pitch and in the classroom, regardless of where they live or go to school.

Led by a newly established team within our Women’s Technical division, the programme will strengthen links between schools and the talent pathway. Six regional Talent Education Coordinators will oversee delivery, working with Professional Game Academies and schoolteachers to help bridge the gap between football and education, while ensuring talented players are supported with the mental demands of juggling both. The team will also work closely with the participants’ families, providing the knowledge and confidence needed to support their player's development across both areas.

Barclays Talent Education

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A central focus of the Barclays Talent Education Programme is to also help players with their development away from the pitch. Players within the England pathway will receive guidance around exams and further education opportunities, while all participants will be helped to access flexible dual-career pathways that allow them to pursue their football ambitions alongside their education and future careers. The programme is designed to ensure players can balance their sporting goals with long-term career prospects, equipping them with the knowledge, education, and skills needed for life both within the game and beyond.

As well as providing comprehensive support for players already in the Professional Game Academy system, the programme reinforces our commitment to leaving no stone unturned in identifying future talent. Girls who demonstrate potential through school football will be given a clear route into the talent pathway via existing FA initiatives, including Discover My Talent and Emerging Talent Centres, ensuring a smooth transition.

Emma Jenks, head of women’s talent at The FA, said: “No talented girl should ever feel she has to choose between her education and her football ambitions – that belief sits at the heart of the Barclays Talent Education Programme. Young players face a myriad of stresses as they juggle the demands of schoolwork, exams, training and matches. By strengthening the link between schools and the talent pathway, we want to help ease those stresses and create a clearer, more supportive journey between education and football. This programme would not be possible without the investment from Barclays, who share our commitment to empowering every young girl to thrive in the game.”

The Talent Education Programme will form part of the Barclays Girls’ Football in Schools network which has helped change the landscape of girls’ football in schools. 2.6 million girls now have equal access to football in PE lessons – an increase of 31% since the 2020-21 season.

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