It’s an exciting time for Women’s & Girls’ Football in and around the Norfolk Broads, as one of the most well-known clubs in the county is joining forces with the largest girls’ football club in the area.

Wroxham FC and Bure Valley FC both share an equal commitment and value to the promotion of female football within their surrounding areas, and the clubs existing structures represented a great opportunity for collaboration.

The objective of both clubs is to provide a full female pathway from youth to adult and to offer provision for all abilities from beginner to elite. The partnership will aim to not only sustain and further support the current infrastructure of female-only football at Bure Valley FC; but will provide the club’s participants with adult offers suited to their level and aspirations.

Working together, the clubs will be able to provide Wildcats sessions for girls as young as five, with the opportunity to play football recreationally at every age group and into the adult game. The ultimate progression will also be offered for players to aspire to play regional football with the Wroxham women’s Senior Team.

With adult football provision being provided by Wroxham FC, this would not only provide an open-age exit route for Bure Valley FC players via a proposed Development Squad competing locally; it would provide a visible and accessible pathway to the elite level in the form of the Women’s Senior team.

Offering a direct pathway to a regional Women’s team will be effective in supporting the growth and sustainability of the youth set up at Bure Valley FC, with a tangible ambition for newly recruited players to strive for.

The longer-term vision of the partnership will also aim to ultimately provide an annual flow of home-grown talent to the Women’s Senior team, increasing its sustainability and competitiveness in the county.

In addition, with the projected population increase for the area widely acknowledged, an increase in residents will allow both clubs to grow further; and this will be achieved more efficiently by working together.

Both clubs aim for the partnership to be more than an agreement on paper, with initial plans in place for collaboration throughout the age groups to ensure both identities are acknowledged and appreciated. For example, Bure Valley FC coaches will become associate coaches to Wroxham FC and will be invited to club-led CPD sessions at Trafford park; members of the Women’s Senior Team will support youth sessions throughout the foundation and development age groups; Bure Valley FC players will be offered free entry to every Women’s league fixture played at Trafford Park; both clubs will work together in philanthropic activities such as fundraising for charity; and the newly constructed ‘Wroxham DNA’ will be integrated into the Bure Valley FC philosophy, specifically steered to Women’s & Girls’ development.

Chairman of Wroxham Football Club, Lee Robson said: “This is hugely exciting for the development of Wroxham FC as a genuine community club for the whole of the Broadlands area and in particular for female football in Norfolk. From a potential National League women’s team through to Wildcats, we can now offer a clear pathway for girls and women to play football at whatever level suits them best, in complete parity with men and boys.

“At Wroxham we walk the walk. In time I’m hoping we can encourage more girls and young women to join our Open Academy programme as we continue to broaden our ambition and scope. Bure Valley are perfect partners to work with to make this a reality. #ahoy”

Chairman of Bure Valley FC, Ted McCarter said: "This partnership is hugely exciting for both clubs. Girls as young as five can now join us through the Wildcats scheme in the knowledge that a clear pathway to women’s football is available to them. Our seven girls teams will now have access to new coaching techniques and experiences, plus have the opportunity to support and learn from Wroxham Women at Trafford Park on a Sunday.

“Both clubs are committed to adding new teams; the structure is in place and coaches, facilities, and pitches are all ready and waiting. The opportunity is there for any female players to join us on the road to Trafford Park, and we'll continue to offer a fantastic experience to all that join our brilliant club.

“A fantastic time to get involved in the female game, we can't wait to get to work with our friends just down the road!

Senior Women’s Team Manager at Wroxham FC, Rebecca Burton said: “Having worked on this partnership alongside the development of the Wroxham DNA over the past couple of months, it’s certainly a very exciting time for Wroxham FC, and for Women’s & Girls’ football in the area. The vision we have for the future, as well as the plans we are putting into place with the support and dedication from the fantastic staff at Bure Valley FC, will no doubt see female football thrive in and around the Norfolk Broads in the very near future.”