Have you got an amazing young female player on your team? Has she got what it takes to grow from grassroots to greatness? Could she become a Lioness of the future?

Yes? Here’s your chance to refer a player so she could take her first step on the Women’s England Talent Pathway. The referral window is open until Friday 9th February, so now’s the perfect time to act. Since the beginning, England Football have seen over 4,500 unique referrals, featuring a host of talent they wouldn’t have discovered without the support of grassroots football.

They need coaches and clubs, volunteers, match officials, teachers or anyone else working with young players, who see potential, to put them forward. England Football are looking for individuals born between 2006 and 2010 who are eligible to represent their country. This could even include players who excel in other sports who may have transferable skills!

England Football want to give them the opportunity to access an inclusive and accessible pathway and, importantly, they will continue to play in their existing environment, wherever that may be. The aim is to ensure a plentiful supply of quality, diverse players to enable England to win another major tournament. In pursuit of this ambition, they’re leaving no stone unturned when it comes to finding future talent.

So… it’s over to you! If you have a player in mind, all you need to do is refer her by filling in England Football’s Player Referral Form, and they will do the rest. This is also where you can check out what their Future Lioness Characteristics look like, and what they’re looking for. You can also interact with @EssexCountyFA on Twitter/X and the ‘EssexFootball’ page on Facebook.