Dartford FC launch new girls’ Academy, led by George Kingdon

A new girls’ football Academy has been launched by Dartford.

Around 25 girls have made the cut for September after trials, with the club working with education partners, SCL, to offer students the full-time course and football coaching at Princes Park.

Director of football Tony Burman said: “It’s something the club has wanted to do for a number of years but, this season, things were in place to make it happen.

“We had a number of conversations and George (Kingdon, spearheading the project) has done a lot of work with the boys and we felt more confident in getting it off the ground.

“The club put together an excellent presentation to prospective parents and students which persuaded some to choose us over other more established league clubs, which was a great achievement.

“We’re looking to bring in a female coach to work alongside George and this is just the start.

“It will, hopefully, keep growing from here and it will become a pathway to the women’s first team that has worked so well for the boys and men.

“They have to be up on their education but that’s the aim - to have a production line that benefits everyone.”

Kingdon has been involved in the education side of the boys’ Academy for the past year while managing Dartford’s grassroot teams.

He said: “I’m feeling really positive.

“I have had the girls in for some pre-season training already to begin building a rapport with them.

“There’s a massive sense of potential with this group and it’s exciting to be part of the club making this step.”

The girls’ Academy will see around 25 girls begin their route into higher education at the club, studying for a diploma in sporting and physical activity. The second year will see them continue with an extended diploma in the same