This Girl Can: Female Football Programme Launches at King Edward VII Academy in Partnership with King’s Lynn Town Football Club

King Edward VII Academy is delighted to announce the expansion of its football and education programme in partnership with King’s Lynn Town Football Club, supporting the development of talented young female football players. It is believed the scheme will be the first of its kind across Norfolk. 

In summer 2020, King’s Lynn Town FC began basing its full-time academy programme at KES Academy, working in partnership to develop both great players and people. The programmes' success has seen a number of players being signed locally and nationally, some launching successful careers as professional footballers, including Joe Taylor who currently plays for Lincoln City on loan from Premier League club, Luton Town. 

The programme provides academic and sporting excellence, encouraging students to set their aspirations high, and supporting them in reaching their goals. Students receive outstanding coaching from UEFA-qualified coaches and benefit from gym programmes, physiotherapy, position-specific training sessions and video analysis alongside their studies. 

Through the scheme, students complete full-time education at King Edward VII Academy Sixth Form, choosing from a broad range of A-Level or Level 3 courses. This enables students to pursue their academic strengths and passions with teachers who are experts in their field. 

Principal of KES Academy, Darren Hollingsworth said:  

"Welcoming girls' football warrants a landmark celebration. The success of the Lionesses has inspired the next generation to pursue their love of the beautiful game and with such positive role models, the possibilities are endless. We are pleased that the programme is proving so popular and KES is proud to support it.” 

The scheme will see the formation of a Ladies B team, which in turn will allow a clear pathway into the King's Lynn Town Football Club Ladies team. It is open to anyone aged 16-18, and all students will be required to meet the school’s entry requirements to gain a place, regardless of their footballing ability. 

KES Academy and the Linnets are committed to producing the next crop of home-grown talent and the flourishing partnership continues to improve the pathway between grassroots football and National League level. 

Following the recent success of the Lionesses, the partnership will highlight the talent across West Norfolk and the county as a whole. 

Over the last four years, the boys' programme has seen young striker Joe Taylor move to Peterborough and then Luton Town in the Premier League. 

As well as Taylor's rapid climb up the footballing ladder, the trio of Tyler Knowles, Ben Isaacson and Charlie Royle have all gone on to feature for King's Lynn Town's first team. 

Academy director Alex Cross said:  

“We are delighted to be starting the Ladies B team, this will give players in both further and higher education the opportunity to train consistently whilst having a clear pathway into first-team football. Liam De Silva has delivered our girls' academy over the past few months and there has been significant success already." 

Alistair White, Head of KES Academy Sixth Form said: 

"I'm delighted we can launch this next stage of our partnership with King's Lynn Town Football Club. The ladies' game has grown significantly over the last few years and this is reflected by the number of girls playing football at KES. This programme will give them the chance to take their game to the next level while getting the first-class education KES sixth form provides." 

Jody Walters, Head of PE at KES Academy, said:  

“We are excited to welcome the U19 girls programme to KES. We believe this is the next stage of our partnership with KLTFC and are thrilled to be able to provide the same opportunity for local ladies and are looking forward to seeing this programme grow and flourish as we have with the current U19 Academy team. We have already seen females progress through the academy but having a dedicated team is taking it to the next level, we welcome this addition KES."