Wildcats with Derby County Community Trust gives Blythe the opportunity to progress onto the FA Talent Pathway
Blythe attends Derby County Community Trust’s FA Wildcats provision and she has become a role model to those around her, but she was not always the confident, bright young girl she is today.
The programme aimed at young girls aged 5-11 promotes a non-competitive, fun environment for all from those wanting to try football for the first time to girls who just want to play the game with girls the same age as them.
With emphasis on fun, Blythe has not only done that but has shown such enthusiasm, and commitment to the sessions that she epitomises the Wildcats values.
Blythe’s commitment paired with her talent has seen her refereed to the FA Talent Pathway.
The Talent Inclusion programme ensures that through existing community activities, participants with potential can be identified and referred to the FA England Women’s Talent Pathway. The programme is specifically run by EFL Club Community Organisations, who engage with young girls from low social economic communities and underrepresented groups, and looks to refer talented players who may not access traditional talent pathways due to social class, ethnicity and demographic.
When first attending Wildcats, Blythe was a shadow of the person she has become today, a shy character with very low confidence. The programme has provided her a safe, enjoyable, consistent environment to excel in with the potential to provide her opportunities that she would not be granted if she was not to attend.
Wildcats has had such a huge affect on Blythe, that she has recommended it to her peers in and outside of school but it is not only Blythe who the programme has impacted.
Blythe’s mother Rose, works tiredly to provide opportunity and an amazing life for her children and with the Trust being so important to her daughters development both as a person and as a football player, Rose has started her own journey with the Trust as a way to give back.
She volunteers her own time to help out on the delivery of Wildcat sessions, Premier League Kicks sessions and holiday activities that the Trust run throughout the year.
