The 2021-22 season at STWFC has seen the launch of a brand new Under-16 side as our growth as a club continues. Manager Adam Wood outlines two weeks of operations and previews the first-ever season for his team.
Last week they started their winter training schedule at the fantastic facility of Foundation Park which sits in the shadow of the County Ground and is run by the STFC Community Foundation. The youngsters also have the privilege of using the gym and ‘Bar 71’ function room at the County Ground.
Last Thursday night also saw a club meeting that didn’t follow the usual agenda. A vast majority of the U16s, Development and First Team squads gathered in Suite 1879 as Vice-Chair, Mike Dixon, introduced the club and structure to everyone and then the evening ended with Rob Angus (CEO) and Clem Morfuni (Owner) from STFC welcoming the women’s teams into the STFC family sighting out their ambitions for the women’s game in Swindon. The steps are small, but they are going in the right direction and for the first time in a long time it feels true that Swindon Town FC have female representation at an adult level.
Now with 16 players in their squad, the team are looking forward to their first competitive fixture.
The first two scheduled games against Marlborough (11/09) and Derry Hill (18/09) have been postponed following Covid situation in the opposition camps so the squad will now be focusing on their first home match on 25/09 against FC Abbey Meads. After weeks of searching for a base for the 2021/22 season, we are delighted to announce a collaboration with Lydiard Millicent Parish Council and Lydiard Millicent Juniors FC for Town U16s to call LMJFC’s ground at Chestnut Springs their home.
Reflecting on everything, manager Adam Wood said:
“For it finally to be confirmed this week that STWFC are now part of the STFC family makes me extremely proud to be a Town fan.
“As I’ve said many times over the years where the two entities have been completely separate, I know it has stopped some players joining the club and it definitely deterred me from applying for a role here – not saying I would have got it by the way!
“Clem and Rob spoke very well and set out very realistic ambitions last night and it is definitely adding to the community feel they have already created around the club; the girls were able to have photos and I think were buzzing from being invited out on to the pitch.
“The use of Bar 71 and the gym before we train at the brilliant Foundation Park facility is also an amazing sign of things to come.
“We’ve played one friendly fixture against Melksham who are competing in the Bristol Girls League this season but the girls, parents and coaching staff really can’t wait to get the league underway. Unfortunately, Covid is very much a thing and seems to be hindering our opponents. I just hope this is the brunt of it early on.
“I am also extremely excited to be ‘returning home’ to Chestnut Springs where I began my coaching journey 19 years ago.
“It is a great facility for grassroots football, the girls trained on it following our postponement last week so got a good feel for the pitch and a look around the facility. I would like to thank Sally and Derek at the Parish Council along with Steve Curtis and Gerald Kent at the LMJ football club for making it work.
“I look forward working in partnership with them as they also look to venture into girls’ football. I hope the team enjoy our home for the 21/22 season also.”
It is important to also send a special thank you to the Swindon Sports Forum whose grant was key to helping STWFC start up an U16s team.
Swindon Town Women FC 