Cardiff’s new Under-15 side fills a gap in girls’ academy pathway

Cardiff City’s girls’ academy has added an Under-15 team between its Under-13 and Under-19 sides, creating an extra step towards senior football. The club’s September review says the new team began with two wins and a draw against Briton Ferry Llansawel. Coach Keith Williams describes the age group as a way to make progression through the academy smoother.

Two wins for the Under-19s

The Under-19s took six points from their first two fixtures, beating Swansea City and Penybont 5-2. Together, those results mean 10 goals scored and four conceded, calculated from the club’s scorelines. Coach Tom Stiley says 12 players have been involved with the senior team in some form this season. That description is broader than 12 competitive first-team appearances, which the review does not claim.

An extra step between age groups

The Under-15s have brought in seven players from the previous Under-13 group. The move includes adapting from nine-a-side to 11-a-side football while playing up an age group. The youngest academy side also recorded three consecutive wins and 21 goals during September, including a 14-0 result against Aberystwyth Town. The results are a snapshot of a developing programme, not a prediction of which children will become senior professionals. The club says senior players have joined academy training sessions. Its stated aim is both to develop future Cardiff players and to help others progress to the highest level they can reach elsewhere in Welsh football.