Building the Future of Women’s Football: Why Girls’ Development Pathways Matter
Women’s football is entering a defining period of growth. Participation is rising, professional standards are increasing, and clubs across Europe are investing more seriously in the women’s game than ever before. But for that growth to become sustainable, one area requires urgent and focused attention: the development pathway for young girls.
The EFC Girls’ Development Pathway Analysis, produced by European Football Clubs in association with Sportsology Group, provides an in-depth look at how clubs across Europe are building, supporting, and professionalising girls’ football environments. Drawing on survey responses from clubs across 35 European countries, alongside interviews, club visits, and expert input from across women’s sport, the report offers a detailed view of both the progress being made and the challenges that remain.
At its heart, the report makes a clear case: girls’ pathways cannot simply replicate boys’ development models. Young female players need environments designed around their specific technical, physical, psychological, and social needs. That includes strong coaching, appropriate competition, tailored medical and performance support, safeguarding, education, mental health provision, and clear routes into senior football.
The analysis centers on five core areas that shape successful girls’ development systems: club structure, athlete care, on-pitch development, infrastructure, and player pathway. Across each of these areas, there are encouraging signs of progress. Many clubs are creating written strategies for girls’ football, improving safeguarding procedures, introducing individual development plans, investing in coaching education, and strengthening the links between academy and first team environments.
However, the report also highlights important gaps. Many clubs still face limited access to dedicated facilities, inconsistent competition structures, underdeveloped scouting networks, and a lack of full-time staff focused specifically on girls’ academies. Athlete care is another major area for improvement, particularly around female-specific medical provision, menstrual health, nutrition, mental health, and the balance between football, education, and wider personal development.
The opportunity is significant. A well-structured girls’ talent pathway can help clubs develop homegrown players, reduce reliance on external recruitment, strengthen senior teams, and create a stronger connection with local communities. It can also ensure that girls who do not become professional players remain connected to the game by creating a pathway for coaches, analysts, front office staff, and future leaders.
This is not only a performance issue; it is a strategic one. Clubs that invest now in high-quality girls’ pathways will be better positioned to compete domestically and internationally as the women’s game continues to evolve. A larger pool of talented, well-supported players benefits the entire ecosystem; a rising tide lifts all boats. More importantly, they will help create an environment where every young girl with talent, ambition, and love for the game has the opportunity to thrive.
The report is therefore both a benchmark and a call to action. It challenges clubs, leagues, governing bodies, and wider stakeholders to think more deliberately about how girls are supported, developed, and retained in football. Building the future of women’s football starts with building better pathways today.
Produced by European Football Clubs in association with Sportsology Group
Pien Gillhaus and Gareth Hurst
SG contributions from: Niccolò Popoli, Joel Cohen
By Gareth Hurst
