A challenging and exciting season ahead...

The 2008/09 FA Girls Centre of Excellence season kicks off with a tough challenge today against a strong Newcastle United Centre of Excellence (6.9.08).

This is the first fixture of what will be another exciting season in the North East section of the match fixture programme. It doesn't get any easier in the coming weeks either, with fixtures against Sunderland and Liverpool to follow - but what a fantastic opportunity for the girls to compete against the best young female players that this country has to offer. Our players should not be overawed by this challenge as our Lincoln City FC Centre of Excellence Girls were a match for anyone last season, and we will be even stronger this season across all four age groups (U10, U12, U14 and U16).

We are also immensely proud of Sophie Harris and Holly Crosby (both pictured) for their selection in the U15 National Development Pool and they recently attended a training camp in Reading. This is an excellent reward for everyone connected with the FA Centre of Excellence, to achieve not just one player, but two, in the 30 player national squad. There are 52 centres around the country so we are producing more than our fair share of top quality players.

Sophie is a highly talented goalkeeper who made her England debut in December last year against Wales, and Holly is an exciting attacking midfield player with fantastic potential and capable of going all the way to the top of the female game. Even more remarkable is the fact that she is still only 12 years of age in an U15 National Development Programme. Testament indeed to Holly, her parents, her school and to the Lincoln City Girls FA Centre of Excellence as whole. The most pleasing thing is we have many more young players developing to high standard and hopefully following in Sophie's and Holly's footsteps towards international recognition.