In revising its approach to talent development in youth female football the Football Association (FA) took the decision to reduce the number of Centres of Excellence for girls across England from the current 50 down to just 32. In an apparent snub to the girls' game this change has has only been targeted at the girls' side of the game not the boys! In a further move the FA decided that only 30 Centres would survive and the final list does not include Crewe Alexandra - which is the ONLY Centre of Excellence in Cheshire. Highly respected by players, parents and other Centres of Excellence for its coaching and attitude to the game, Crewe Alex has produced several international players in recent years and currently has two players representing England in the U16 age group which can only give significant weight to the ability ofthe coaching staff and determination and attitude of the girls themselves to reach the top of their sport. We, the undersigned, believe that this decision to take away the Centre of Excellence licence from the Crewe Alex Centre will have a devastating impact on girls football in the area. With girls football being one of the fastest growing sports in the country (as stated on the FA's own website) it should be encouraged, not cut off at the roots ! We don't want to travel (or in many cases cannot travel due to practicality) to other centres further away which, in any case, already have established teams - and we don't want to give up the sport. We want girls in Cheshire to be given the opportunity to play football at the highest possible level, to develop their skills in professional environment and to achieve their potential - in the same way as boys. We want our club back!

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