Paul Griffiths said: “We are thrilled to have won this award at such a prestigious event and in front of so many inspirational people involved in women’s football. The New City College Education and Tottenham Hotspur Football Development Centre has gone from strength to strength in such a short space of time, with multiple success stories along the way.”
Janet Smith said: “I am delighted that our partnership has been recognised in this way. The women’s programme has enabled our talented young students to experience the highest level of coaching alongside their academic studies with us. Together we are ensuring that women from all backgrounds can access the training to achieve their potential in football.”
The programme has been extremely successful since it was introduced at New City College. It is dedicated to creating pathways which are inclusive and accessible for young women, giving them excellent opportunities in football training and coaching, and also the wider sports sector.
Just recently New City College’s Tottenham Hotspur Women’s Football Team won through their regional heats to reach the finals of the Association of Colleges (AoC) National Championships 2024, which took place at the University of Nottingham. It was a first for NCC – and they were the only team in London to be represented at the tournament finals.
And earlier in the season, player Grace Craven, who is part of the programme, travelled to Europe to play in a match against Italy after being selected for the England Colleges FA national team.
Grace said: “I’m really pleased to have had such amazing opportunities which have come about through the programme that I’m doing at New City College. Even my part-time job – where I coach football in local schools – I got through the course.
“It has built my confidence and I am 100 per cent grateful to the Spurs coaches who have helped develop my game and my strategic thinking. It’s all helping me to look to the future where I’d love to play at a really high level and even aspire to be a Lioness – playing for the England national women’s team.”
Lyon Theoharous, NCC Women’s Head Coach, said: “We work with students who come from all demographics and who have many different life experiences which are all channelled into a common passion – football.
“I am grateful to have experienced watching the students on our programme build the necessary skills to take into their classrooms to become better students, and more importantly, to leave the programme in a better place than when they started college.
“They learn what it’s like to come together as a team, regardless of their background and their past, to work, train and compete together.”
Kane White, Deputy Group Curriculum Director for Sport at NCC, added that the college was proud to have won the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion award against tough competition at such a prestigious awards event.
Are you a keen female footballer? Apply for our NCC Education and Tottenham Hotspur Women’s Football Development Centre programme today!
