With the 2019/20 Wiltshire FA Advanced Coaching Centre (ACC) underway for the new season it is a great time to reflect on the success stories of the programme that have emerged over the past calendar year.

The Centre is part of the FA Girls’ Talent Pathway & offers local girls the chance to develop within a bespoke programme which is designed to support the development of Elite female players across the South West of England.

The centre feeds directly into FA Regional Development Programme & National Performance Camps with the end goal being a place in the various England international squads available from Under 15 upwards.

Over the past season the centre has seen former players progress into Regional Talent Centres, attend FA National Performance Camps and a debut made at U15 international level.

U15 International Debut – Talliah Keenan

February 2019 saw Talliah Keenan make her England U15 international debut in Switzerland.

Talliah joined the ACC centre back in September 2014 spending two seasons in the Under 12 age group. Talliah then progressed onto Southampton FC Regional Talent Centre and now plays her football with Bristol City Regional Talent Centre.

Whilst at the ACC Talliah continued her football with Trowbridge Wanderers (mixed) & Melksham Town (girls).

National Performance Camp – Iona Cameron

Derry Hill United player Iona Cameron joined the ACC at the start of the 2014/15 season as part of the Under 10 squad and progressed through the age groups to U14s. Iona throughout her time with the centre showed potential whilst attending regional programmes and successfully obtained a place at the Bristol City Regional Talent Centre for the start of the 2018/19 season.

During the 2018/19 season Iona was called into an FA Girls National Performance and will continue to play at Bristol for the coming season. Iona has also represented the Wiltshire Schools FA.

Bristol City Regional Talent Centre – Erin Foley

Goalkeeper Erin Foley started playing football at 9 years of age with her first ever participation in a formal match coming at the centre as part of the South West fixture programme in August 2015.

Erin’s local football journey has seen her represent Derry Hill across both girls & mixed teams throughout her time with the centre and the shot stopper successfully transitioned from the Under 12s – Under 14s squad before obtaining a training place at Bristol City for the 2018/19 season. The 2019/20 season will see Erin continue with Bristol City after successfully making it through the selection process. Erin has also represented the Wiltshire Schools FA.

Southampton FC Regional Talent Centre – Nalani & Alana Hunt

The twins were selected to attend the ACC at the start of the 2016/17 season within the Under 12 squad and continued with the centre through to the Under 14 age group where they particpated at the ages of 12.

Both players started their football journey with Swindon Spitfires Girls before participating most recently at Royal Wootton Bassett Town Youth (mixed) & FC Abbey Meads (girls).

Both players also represented Wiltshire Schools FA during the 2018/19 season and successfully obtained a place with Southampton FC a few weeks ago following being successful in the selection process.

We would like to wish all five girls the best for the future and we look forward to following their journeys within the game.

Further information on the fa girls' talent pathway