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

Yes? Then here’s your chance to refer a player, and she could be taking her first step on the Women’s England Talent Pathway. The referral window is open until Friday 2nd September, so now’s the perfect time to act. Last season, England Football saw 1,500 unique referrals and a host of talent which they wouldn’t have seen without this support.

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

They want to give them the opportunity to access their 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 supply of quality and depth of players to enable the England teams to win a major tournament.

In pursuit of this ambition, England Football are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to finding future talent across England. So, it’s over to you! If you have a player in mind, all you need to do is refer her by filling in a ‘Player Referral Form’, and England Football will do the rest.

Check out what a future Lioness’ characteristics look like, and what we’re looking for, by following this link. Information on female grassroots football is also shared in the menus above, by following @EssexCountyFA on Twitter and by searching for ‘EssexFootball’ on Facebook.