Not a Lasses' Game? - Player Pathways (#2)

Ninety seven per cent of aspiring footballers from elite academies do not play a single minute in the Premier League - and that’s with all the opportunities, the facilities and top-class coaching they've received over the years.

But what opportunities exist beneath the surface for women and girls wanting to take part in England's national sport?

There are many pathways young footballers can take to forge a career.

One route is through universities. Team Sunderland take part in the BUCS league system.

Games are played each Wednesday, and just like the traditional football pyramid, teams are promoted and relegated at the end of each season, which gives players something to work towards.

Becca Emery studies as a physiotherapist alongside her commitments with the team, and she also plays for South Shields Women, who play in the fifth tier of the women’s football pyramid.

Duelling up in that regard has helped her immeasurably when it comes to growing as a player but also potentially when it comes to thinking ahead after university.

“Quite a lot of players play in and around the same league as South Shields,” she said.

“The league is of a high standard in my opinion.

“Since I am doing a physiotherapy course at uni, working in football has definitely crossed my mind but honestly I have no idea!

“Just being in and around people who enjoy what they are doing, helping to run Team Sunderland, has definitely been useful.”

Becca Emery warming up ahead of the away Hartlepool United match for South Shields Women. Credit: Nathan Bell (video taken March 24, 2024).

You'll never win anything with kids?

Inside the Beacon of Light to film a game. Credit: Nathan Bell (Photo taken: February 15, 2022).

More and more support is being given to younger girls so they have the opportunities and time to develop as a player before universities can set them up for success.

Monkwearmouth Football Academy, spearheaded by ex-professional footballer Jamie Chandler, has recently introduced a girls’ programme which aims to do exactly this.

“I think our approach has always been to give opportunities to passionate young players,” he shared.

“We have been very fortunate to have had a number of girls join us in recent years who are incredible to work with on a daily basis.

“Having Jill Scott as our ambassador of course is a huge inspiration to our girls and we would love to support them in reaching their dreams just like Jill has achieved.

“We were so proud and excited to have our first ever girls team enter this year's national cup.

“I was actually quite emotional when they won their first round tie because I was so proud of not only the journey the academy has been on but seeing the girls represent the academy with such passion and pride.”

“Having Jill Scott as our ambassador of course is a huge inspiration to our girls and we would love to support them in reaching their dreams just like Jill has achieved."
Jamie Chandler

Needless to say Monkwearmouth has harboured its fair share of “super talented players” in its short time running the programme.

Chandler added: “Chloe Jackson has recently signed a contract with Sunderland AFC Under 21s and has also attended Lioness camps.

“Milly Richardson and Lily Mae Middleton both have represented Durham RTC as well as the county.

“Saisha Snowdon is progressing and thriving within Sunderland RTC and of course Milly Cairns left us recently and was a huge part of the academy’s success as well as representing Sunderland Ladies.

“She is a huge inspiration to the girls and her journey has been fantastic to be part of.

“The girls programme is growing all the time and we have a high number joining us in September 2024 and we are very excited to be part of their academic and football journeys.”

Taking the academy route...

Another view of the Academy of Light. Credit: Nathan Bell (Photo taken: February 4, 2022).

Another route for young footballers is academies.

Domonic Bylett heads Sunderland AFC U23s in the NERWFL Northern League, and it’s fair to say they have torn the division to shreds this season.

They won 15 games out of 15 played before an away walkover against Bishop Auckland Ladies in April 2024 stopped that run.

Nevertheless, he feels as though he wanted to give something back, to support the squad he has and give them the same opportunities as he did growing up.

“For me I’m so passionate about football in general but as a coach I’m particularly passionate about the growth and development of the women’s game," he shared, "because I could see how talented the players were and how passionate the staff and volunteers were, and I was just frustrated that they didn’t have a platform to perform and develop.

“I think especially in the early years I saw so much adversity from some of the ladies just to play the sport they love, whether that be competitive or just for fun.

"That’s something I took for granted when I played, how accessible clubs were as a boy and how many options I had and coaching and facilities available to me.”

Sunderland AFC Women U23s celebrating after a win. Credit: Dom Bylett, Twitter (Posted: January 22, 2024), (Link: https://twitter.com/DomBylett/status/1749512763477463451)

Sunderland AFC Women U23s celebrating after a win. Credit: Dom Bylett, Twitter (Posted: January 22, 2024), (Link: https://twitter.com/DomBylett/status/1749512763477463451)

Jaz Elliott-Wood scoring the winner for South Shields Women away against Alnwick Town Ladies. Credit: Nathan Bell (video taken January 21, 2024).

Jaz Elliott-Wood played under Bylett last season at Sunderland AFC U23s as they won the Durham FA Women’s League One in style, their 18 wins and 2 draws stole the show.

The facilities they had made such a big difference to her.

She said: “We trained twice a week on 3G - sometimes this took place in the barn which is an indoor 3G, protected from the poor weather.

“This also meant we got the optimal outcome of our training schedule as there were no sessions cancelled.

“Having the first team train alongside us, we sometimes had the opportunity to train with them and give us the experience of playing with very good players. “

“There were rehab programmes created for individuals and for specific injuries that often occur, for example ankle strengthening [and] shin splints, so from an injury prevention point of view it was very beneficial."

When opportunities present themselves in football, you should always take them.

Foundation of Light Women's scholar Phoebe Dixon found that out when she was picked to represent This Girl Kicks, a program for girls in football, in America.

She was fortunate enough to take part in the Gothia World Youth Cup in 2023 and the Dallas Cup in 2024.

As well as visiting attractions such as the Fort Worth Stockyards, the Sixth Floor Museum and Six Flags Over Texas, she got to watch the Concacaf Nations League final between the USA and Mexico.

“I was super excited to go as it was my first time in America,” she said.

"Going to the university in the States to play football is something that I am thinking about for the future, so I was looking forward to seeing what it was like for myself.

“We had a pretty packed schedule on and off the pitch and I loved it.”

A homestay scheme meant that she got to spend some time on the trip with a player from the Borussia Dortmund International Academy.

Dixon added: “This gave me a completely unique American experience as I got to experience lots of high school games, including her school beating the number one team in Texas in the play offs to become champions in her school stadium.

“We also got to meet her family and friends who took us to lots of different places and restaurants that I wouldn’t have visited staying in a hotel.

“I found it pretty crazy that she could drive a big truck at 16!

“But the homestay was a fantastic experience where I have definitely made friends for life.”

Dixon at the AT&T Stadium to watch the Concacaf Nations League final. Image credit: Phoebe Dixon.

Dixon watching the game between Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox. Image credit: Phoebe Dixon.