Young female football players in Washington, Tyne and Wear, will have the chance to be identified for the England Women’s Talent Pathway (the Future Lionesses programme) when the FA opens its Discover My Talent referral window next year. From 6 January 2026 to 6 February 2026, girls playing for community clubs such as Washington United FC can be put forward for the pathway.
The initiative, called Discover My Talent, aims to find skilled players who may have been missed by professional academies. It is open to girls born between 2007 and 2013. Referees are asked to submit evidence-based assessments of a player’s technical, tactical and physical attributes as part of the nomination.
According to Durham County FA guidance, anyone other than a player’s parent can make a nomination — for example coaches, teachers, match officials or club volunteers. Parents are not permitted to refer their own children and are therefore encouraged to speak with their child’s coach if they believe their child should be considered for the programme.
If a player is successful at the nomination stage, they may be invited to Future Lionesses Talent ID events or to attend local Emerging Talent Centres run by professional club foundations. The scheme is intended to ensure talented girls can be seen by the national pathway regardless of where they live or which grassroots team they play for.
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