Strategy in England's FA Elite Performance Unit

A key element to the FA's five-year "Game Changer" strategy is the creation of an Elite Performance Unit (EPU) that will streamline the pathway from youth to senior football.The EPU will be based at St George's Park, England's 330-acre national football centre.

The EPU will build on the current talent pathway that includes 31 Centres of Excellence, 29 Player Development Centres and 3 Elite Performance Camps. The pathway provides a link between emerging talent and international football - in a future post we'll explore these in more detail.

Within the EPU, the FA have created the role of Head of Elite Women's Development. The Head will produce a "Future Game" performance document that includes a vision, philosophy and coaching guide for young player development. The Head will also be responsible for the coaching talent pathway building on the FA's Female Coach Mentoring Scheme.

“The Elite Performance Unit has been created to provide outstanding support to our female elite players and coaches. The Unit will benefit from the fantastic new coaching, sport science and sports medicine facilities at St George’s Park.“ - Sir Trevor Brooking, The FA’s Director of Football Development

See below for the FA EPU goals to 2018, as described in the FA Plan document: