Glasgow City will continue to operate as a Category One side as part of the NextGen programme this season.

NextGen is the Scottish FA’s Girls’ Performance Programme that defines, operates, and partially funds the Talent Development Environment system in Scotland, alongside a games programme. It governs the development of players from the age of 11 to 17.

Clubs are assessed against set criteria, which consider performance in areas such as; coaching qualifications, facilities, talent identification, long term athlete development programmes, pathways and sports science and medicine provisions. Glasgow City will be joined by Aberdeen. Celtic, Hearts, Hibernian and Rangers as Category One sides.

With a new NextGen season underway Academy Manager, Sarah Crilly was pleased to see the programme continue it’s Category One status.

”Firstly, it is a great achievement that we have again retained our Category One status within the Next Generation Performance Programme, this is a testament to the hard work that goes on behind the scenes at the club to ensure we are creating the best possible environment for our players and coaches to develop within.

”As we look ahead to the season, we have brought many new faces into our programme with 12 players promoted from our Junior Academy. As a club we strive on developing our home grown players and this is a goal to maintain or increase this number each season.

”The hard work that has been undertaken in preseason is ready to be put into practice as we approach the first competitive match. This year will be more challenging that ever as every teams environment is improving, however I have no doubt that our players will continue to develop both on and off the pitch.

”The environment our young players now have gives them every opportunity to improve. We have strong coaches in place at each level, as well as the introduction of a new Individual Development Plan Coach who will work closely with our Head of Player Development, Michael Gaughan.

”As we kick off the season we are also looking forward to the launch of our Performance Parenting Programme again, our Coaching Conventions as well as our Player Education Programme.

It is an exciting time to be part of Glasgow City and I wish all the players and coaches the very best for the upcoming season.”

Michael Gaughan, Head of Player Development Michael Gaughan is also looking forward to seeing what a new season will bring.

”We are very excited to kick off the new season with the Next Gen Academy. All age groups are full of quality, and we have some exciting developments on and off the pitch.

We are looking forward to getting to work and making season 25/26 the most productive yet.”