Key stakeholder perceptions of the implementation of the English Football Association’s girls’ emerging talent centre pathway

The restructure of the English Football Association’s (FA) girls’ soccer talent pathway in 2022 aimed to expand the available talent identification (TI) and development (TD) opportunities (i.e. access to FA-licensed environment), with particular focus on providing access to historically under-represented players (e.g. ethnic minority and lower socio-economic groups). Sociological attributes, including socio-demographic factors, influence TI and TD, but it is uncertain whether stakeholders consider these to foster inclusive environments. This study aimed to explore key stakeholder’s perceptions of the implementation of the new Emerging Talent Centre (ETC) pathway, focussing on whether socio-demographic factors are considered during player recruitment and retention. Semi-structured interviews with ten key stakeholders including FA Women’s Technical Division staff (n = 2), ETC managers (n = 4) and coaches (n = 4) were conducted, drawing on personal experiences and perspectives. Player ethnicity (n = 2111) and socio-economic status (n = 2940) data were utilised to assist understandings of these perceptions. These data were compared with socio-economic data from the previous pathway to assess early influence of the new pathways’ implementation. Thematic analysis identified three key themes: stakeholder beliefs of the ETC pathway (clarity of pathway aims, early success, early concerns); facilitators to increasing inclusivity and accessibility (connectivity across sports organisations, additional and alternative TI opportunities, parental education on accessible opportunities); barriers to increasing inclusivity and accessibility (socio-cultural, practical). Unique insight into stakeholder perceptions will impact further development of the ETC pathway, ensuring youth and senior domestic and national squads are representative of local and national populations.