Secret of Sky Blues' Success
2008 could well prove to be a watershed year for the Coventry City Ladies. The Senior Team have created a buzz locally with some electrifying performances most notably during their current winning streak, which now stands at 13 games in the Midland Women's Combination League. As the team sit top of the table ahead of local rivals Leicester heading into a 'winner takes all' battle for promotion this weekend perhaps the more important aspect of success comes from the foundation that the club has built with it's Centre of Excellence.
Established in 1991 the Centre of Excellence now boasts 80 girls training twice and competing weekly across the Midlands in age groups from Under 10 to Under 16. Having adopted the Football Association's 'Player Pathway' scheme the COE develops players for the highest level and readies them for senior football with the first team squad. Nicole Tinto and Adele Rogers have both made the transition to the first team this year with Emily Hanson, Amy Sidwell, Jade Ogle, Charlotte Gassor & Lauren Staples all graduating into the reserve side.
This season has also seen two COE girls called into their respective England squads, Nikki Miles with the Under 15's and Jade Formaston called up to the Under 17's (who have just qualified for the Inaugural World Cup in that age group). Both Miles and Formaston have been with the club since the age of 8. Whilst the versatile Miles remains in the Centre of Excellence, Formaston has already graduated into the first team. Her form is one of the main reasons for City's success this year, In 24 appearances the speedy right sided midfielder has netted 21 times.
As well as guiding the first team to the verge of promotion Manager Stuart Wilson is also in his second year as the Director of the Centre of Excellence and is very pleased with the progress. "Overall I'm happy but there's always room for improvement. I feel that the direction of the Centre has changed over the last two years in the way we attract and develop players. We have a coaching syllabus in place that we always look to improve upon with feedback from the coaches. Next year we will be looking to add a more scientific measure to the Centre in order to help the players Improve the physical and psychological aspects of their game"
Wilson is very quick to recognise the important part that the volunteers around him have to play "The coaches do a tremendous job and without the support of the committee, the players and their parents we wouldn't see the kind of success that we've had this year". Coventry City Ladies finish their season on Sunday when they go in search of a victory that would virtually assure them promotion from the Midland Women's Combination League. Kick-off is 2pm at the Blaby Scout HQ.