Cheltenham Town Women’s youth setup is flourishing ahead of the 2025/26 season, with a remarkable increase in the number of teams and opportunities for young female footballers.
Celebrating a record-breaking campaign, Tom Davies’ senior side reached the fourth round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup and made their first-ever appearance in the Women’s National League Plate final. This success has fueled the rapid expansion of the club’s youth teams, now ranging from Under-eights up to Under-15s.
Among the highlights, the Under-10s recently triumphed at the regional One Tournament and will compete at the Nationals later this month. Under-10 coach James Saunders expressed his pride in the development of the youth structure: “Being part of Cheltenham Town Women is a real privilege. We started with just three teams last summer, and now we have nine. The progress and commitment have been outstanding.”
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Saunders noted the competitiveness of the youth sides, with the Under-10s playing in the Cheltenham Youth Boys League and the Under-11s competing in the Junior Premier League against academy teams such as Wolves and Crystal Palace.
Under-10 captain Mila shared her enthusiasm: “I’ve played here for two seasons and it’s really helped improve my football. The coaching is brilliant, and the environment is great.”
The youth structure offers a clear progression path, extending to the reserves and, ultimately, the first team. Notably, Carys Pugh-Jones and Una Lue have recently advanced from the reserves to senior squad roles.
Under-14 coach Lee Thompson highlighted the program’s rapid growth and improved resources: “In just 12 months, we’ve established a strong setup with quality kit and equipment, creating the best environment to nurture talent. Whether players aim to join the senior team or simply love the game, we support their journey.”
Manager Tom Davies praised the collaborative efforts behind the youth expansion: “Thanks to Clive, Lee, and James, we’ve developed a comprehensive pathway that links youth and senior players, opening exciting opportunities for all involved.”
Looking ahead to the 2025/26 season as Cheltenham competes in the third tier for the fourth straight year, chairman Andy Liddle expressed optimism for continued growth: “It’s fantastic to see so many young girls eager to play football. Last season, many school groups experienced match days as mascots, and we owe huge thanks to all our coaches and volunteers. We also hope the Lionesses’ success at this summer’s Euros inspires even more girls to follow their football dreams.”