The Cambridgeshire FA Girls' Advanced Coaching Centre partnered with a past ACC player, Issy Bryant, to deliver an inspirational talk to the current U12 to U16 ACC players. This gave the current ACC players the opportunity to ask Issy questions about her journey through the talent pathway.

The Cambridgeshire FA Girls’ Advanced Coaching Centre (ACC) is the first step on the England talent pathway for female players in Cambridgeshire to progress to the England youth and senior squads. The ACC provides talented young female players with weekly additional training and fixtures against other East Region ACCs, whilst still allowing them to play for their grassroots clubs. The ACC provides football for girls at U12, U14 and U16 age groups with season long coaching once a week on the 3G pitch at Bottisham Sports Centre. Training is regularly observed by The FA Regional Elite Women’s Coach Developer (East Region).

Issy Bryant joined the ACC in 2015 as an U12 player and worked her way through the ACC age groups before leaving the programme as an U16 player in 2020. Issy always showed great determination and dedication to her football. She always had a dream to play for England Lionesses and was determined to work hard to make her dreams come true. In 2019 Issy was selected for an England Lionesses U16 camp where she joined the team in Switzerland to play her fist international fixture.

Issy, said “I felt very nervous ahead of this fixture but the support I had around me helped me to feel calm.” During her debut game for England Issy scored a great goal which she said made her feel “amazing”.Issy’s biggest piece of advice to the other players was to continue working hard and to never give up!

Since leaving the ACC earlier this year Issy has signed for Ipswich and has played for the women’s first team and the women’s U21s which she is really enjoying and plans to progress in her football career.

Steve Smith, Cambridgeshire FA Advanced Coaching Centre Manager, said, “Issy has been an integral part of our centre and the pathway from its early days, we are all immensely proud of her. Its’ fantastic that Issy and her family want to help inspire the next generation of ACC players. What always stands out with Issy, is her desire and dedication to improve her game. This is something that all players, regardless of where they are in their development can emulate.”

Amy Newell, Cambridgeshire FA Football Development Officer, said “Issy is an inspirational young female player. Her footballing journey really inspired the other girls to work hard to make their dreams reality. We hope to invite Issy along to some training sessions to give the girls some more inspiration. We wish Issy the very best of luck for her exciting future!”