A global pandemic has been a huge challenge for sporting activities but it hasn’t stopped a great new partnership kicking off between Dundee and Angus College and Dundee United Girls’ Academy.
The Girls’ Academy has quickly grown from just an Under 9s team in 2019 to eight different age groups in 2022. Georgia Carter, Girls’ and Women’s Development Officer at Dundee United Community Trust, realised the girls needed a venue base to continue their improvement and provide new opportunities. She contacted Darren Foy, Sports Centre Manager at D&A College’s Gardyne campus, and together they came up with an exciting plan which provides a home ground for the Under 16s and Under 18s, access to the gym and a specialist strength and conditioning coach.
Georgia says,“The U18s also had cup success in 2021 and won the U17s league and both U15s and U17s reached the semi-finals of the league cups! This wouldn’t have been possible without the help of the College and the time they put into each individual player during strength and conditioning sessions.
“The partnership between Dundee United Girls’Academy and Gardyne Sports Centre is a real example of two like-minded clubs coming together with the best interests of the girls’ and women’s game at heart. Gardyne has been a huge asset to the Girls’ Academy and with the shared understanding and access to more facilities, it has provided us with the chance to continue to grow and develop the club.
“We are still in the early stages as a youth club but that can be easy to forget due to the great successes we have had so far. This is just the beginning for Dundee United Girls’ Academy and with the College on board, the players are in the best hands!”
The Girls’ Academy aims to provide girls within Dundee the opportunity to play football, and to ultimately be a support for Dundee United Women’s Team. Several players are already pushing through, so it shows potential to be a special pathway within Dundee.
D&A College’s Darren Foy says, “Dundee United Community Trust is a fast-growing, forward-thinking club and when the opportunity arose with Georgia and the team it was very exciting for us. The partnership allows us to work together to support the girls in terms of strength and conditioning, tactical analysis facility and training, and match facility. It also provides the opportunity for our sport students to gain valuable experience working with experienced coaches within a variety of disciplines in a professional environment.”
L to R: Lucy Banks, Sophie Hunt, Neave Murray, (front row) Zoe Maclean sporting their new kits.
Dundee & Angus College
Dundee and Angus College is moving away from traditional thinking and focussing much more on careers not courses. It wants the people of the Dundee and Angus region to be better informed and prepared for the career options available to them, no matter what stage they are at.
