In September 2024, the Kent Regional Development Pathway – Girls (KRDP – Girls) was set up to absorb and build on the existing Girls Area Programme in Kent.
The transition to KRDP – Girls came about as a result of the ECB’s response to the ICEC report that was published in early 2024; specifically, the requirement for every county to create an Early Engagement Programme (EEP) involving children aged 10 to 15. From the Kent Girls’ Pathway perspective, we were already in a position to deliver the programme having laid the groundwork for this by setting up the Girls’ Area Programme in September 2022.
The structure largely mirrors the new ‘Kent Regional Development Pathway – Boys’ and encompasses 4 regional hubs in Kent (North, South, East & West). The KRDP – Boys’ structure has one additional hub, a Central hub, which we will be aiming to develop over the next few years via work with clubs who haven’t yet started girls’ junior sections.
The Winter Training Programme for each of the regional squads commenced in November, and continues into the Spring. Regional fixtures will take place throughout the 2025 season, and we will continue to run additional camps for the players during the year.
The Regions
The make-up of each Region is as follows (and includes surrounding areas):
West – Bromley, Greenwich
North – Sevenoaks, Bexley, Dartford, Gravesend
South – Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, West Malling, Cranbrook
East – Canterbury, Dover, Thanet, Ashford
Age Groups
Each region has three age-group squads: U11, U13 and U15’s. The age group squads train together during the winter at their regional hubs attending 10 indoor training sessions.
Coaching at Regional Level
Coaching at KRDP – Girls sessions will link to the Kent Talent Development Framework and follow four key themes:
- Technical
- Tactical
- Mental
- Physical
The coaching team for KRDP – Girls is made up of current County Age Group coaches supported by coaches that are working at club level so the players will continue to receive high-quality coaching in line with the County girls to help prepare them for the future.
