girls get chance of a lifetime

David Friel
ROBERT DOCHERTY, Head of the Celtic Foundation, believes the launch of the new Celtic Girls/Women’s Academy will act as a major boost for aspiring female football players.

The Hoops have launched a wide-ranging programme, catering for girls and women of all ages. Celtic Girls’ Community Academy will be aimed at 5-12 year olds, Celtic Girls’ Youth Academy will be aimed at 13-19 year olds and the Senior Squad will represent Celtic in the Scottish Women’s Premier League.

The Academy will be headed up by the Celtic Foundation and Robert said: “It’s a fantastic thing we’re doing at Celtic. The infrastructure that we have in place has allowed us to create the new Academy.

“It has always been our intention, within the Celtic Foundation, to create a women’s programme and this provides fantastic opportunities for females to become part of Celtic Football Club.

“In terms of the Girls/Women’s Academy, it will be much the same as the boys – at both youth and senior level. We’ll have a programme for 5-12 year olds and the very best players will come through that to our youth academy.

“That will prove opportunities for Under-13s, Under-15s, Under-17s and Under-19s. Again, the players will have the chance to progress to the senior side, which will operate in the women’s Premier League.

“It’s a fantastic programme for the club. Celtic should be applauded for the launch of this Academy. The latest stats tell you there are 20,000 women playing football in Scotland. The introduction of this academy can only benefit Celtic, and the women’s game in general.”

Despite only being announced on Thursday afternoon, Robert revealed that the Foundation has already been inundated with phone calls about the Academy.

He said: “Female fans support Celtic and come and watch the team every week. We’re now giving these people the chance to play for Celtic and it’s fantastic.

“They can get involved from a recreational point of view and they can also progress through to the elite programme and play for their club.

“We’ve been inundated so far and I’m sure there will be a lot more interest over the coming weeks.

“This club has been built on success and hopefully the women’s academy will be no different. We will be looking to be up there challenging for honours and winning trophies for Celtic.”

Tommy Burns, Celtic first-team coach and Head of Youth, said: “It’s a good thing and a lot of time and effort has gone into it. Robert Docherty has done a phenomenal job with the community programme and this is another great initiative.

“It will run side by side with the boys’ programme and goes from young kids all the way up to the senior side. The whole point of the community is that it’s for everybody.

“With this Academy, five-year-old girls can come along with their brothers and take part in their own programme. I’m sure they will get a great deal of enjoyment out of it.”

Celtic Ladies will be recruiting at all levels. The telephone number for the Celtic Girls/Women's Academy is 0871 226 1888 (Option 5), or e-mail hwilson@celticfc.co.uk