Windsor & Eton announce new senior Women’s section

Windsor & Eton FC announced this week the launch of the club's women's section, marking an historic first for the club as well as the town.

The new women's section is thought to be the first in the town's history, and the team will be guided by manager Cathy Corr, assistant manager Adam Romney and head coach Lyndsey Tomlinson.

The plan is for a squad to be put together in time to play competitive matches in the 2024/25 season, with their matches taking place on Sunday afternoons.

Mark Cooper, co-chairman at Stag Meadow, said: “We are thrilled to announce the launch of the women’s section. This was always a big aim of mine from the day we built this club. There is some incredible footballing talent in Windsor, but any women who have been keen to play have had to travel to Slough, Maidenhead, Beaconsfield, Ascot and so forth. Now, they’ll have the opportunity to represent their hometown.”

Cathy added: “I can’t wait to get going. It’s an exciting time to be part of this club. Windsor needs a women’s side, but it’s far bigger than that – this club wants to provide a pathway for all girls in the town to play the game, develop and progress.”

The club is now actively looking to recruit players ahead of the launch of the senior team in the league next season and a couple of their new players have already been announced, Stevie Romney and Alana Corr.

Windsor & Eton FC currently has three girls’ teams playing in junior football and the long-term goal for the women's and girls’ section is to have at least one girls team playing at every age group level from u7s through to senior football.

 They'll be helped in this aim by a partnership with Windsor Girls School. This link should ensure that any student at the school who wants to play football has the chance to do so through Windsor & Eton's age group teams.

 The club's aim is to get as many girls as possible participating in grassroots football, whatever their age or ability.

Paul Mitchell and Mark Cooper, co-chairs at Stag Meadow, put out a joint statement on the partnership, “We want to become the most supportive and inclusive community club in the area that will develop children’s footballing aspirations.

“We are delighted to have formed this partnership with Windsor Girls’ School. The partnership will be wide and varied. As well as playing opportunities, our 1st team coaches will be running training sessions for students, and we will be investing in portable floodlights to the school which will allow us to provide further coaching opportunities for the girls on the school’s 3G pitch in the evenings. And this will be just the start.”

Pete Griffiths and Eimear O’Carroll, co-Head Teachers at Windsor Girls’ School, commented, “At Windsor Girls’ School we are passionate about providing opportunities for our students in the world of sport and physical health.  We are thrilled to be forming a partnership with Windsor & Eton FC so that we can benefit from excellent coaching, community projects and a whole range of opportunities for our students. We hope that this relationship will be long standing and benefit both the club and the school.”

If you’re interested in playing for Cathy Corr’s side, or want to enrol your daughter into the youth set-up at Windsor & Eton, email comms@wefc.co.uk

A full interview with Cathy can be found on wefc.co.uk as well as the Maidenhead Advertiser website.

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Windsor & Eton's senior men's team also played at the weekend, but it wasn't a game to remember as they were elbowed out of the Berkshire Centre Senior Cup at the quarter final stage after losing 2-1 to Reading YMCA.

At the Cauldron, Padworth Lane, Matty Angell’s side had the advantage at the breakthrough Sam Knight's 38th minute finish but were powerless to stop Joel Burton (70’) and Pele Hagger (78’) from scoring late on to send the hosts through to the semi-finals.

Windsor are back in action this weekend as they welcome AFC Winkfield to Stag Meadow for a Thames Valley Premier League fixture.