Girls’ Pathway ready for new season after successful induction evening
AFC Wimbledon’s Girls’ Pathway officially got the 2026/27 season underway with a special induction evening at the Cherry Red Records Stadium on Friday 4 September, bringing together players and coaches from across the age groups ahead of another exciting campaign.
The Girls’ Pathway provides a clear route for young players to develop within AFC Wimbledon, competing in the Junior Premier League (JPL) while working towards the ultimate goal of progressing into senior football and the club’s Women’s team.
The pathway’s connection to the senior side is already producing exciting results, with five pathway players having featured in Women’s first-team matchday squads already this season, demonstrating the opportunities available to those progressing through the programme.
The induction evening provided an opportunity for players from all age groups to come together, meet one another and prepare for the season ahead.
There was a presentation from Head of Sport & Education Andrew May, who leads the Girls’ Pathway, before players and coaches completed their codes of conduct ahead of the new campaign.
The evening also included a photoshoot, with the players proudly wearing the new kits for the season, before everyone came together to look ahead to what promises to be another exciting year of development and competition.
Women & Girls Project Officer Orla McComb said:
“The induction evening was a really important way for us to bring everyone together at the start of the season. We have players across a number of different age groups, so it was fantastic to see everyone in one place, wearing their new kits and getting ready for the season ahead…
…The Girls’ Pathway is about much more than just playing football. It’s about creating a real journey for players within AFC Wimbledon, from the younger age groups through to the JPL and ultimately towards the Women’s first team. Seeing five pathway players already feature in Women’s first-team matchday squads this season shows what is possible…
…We’re really excited to see what this group can achieve this season and to continue building a pathway that gives young girls the opportunity to develop, compete and represent AFC Wimbledon.”
The competitive action followed just one day later, with three of the pathway age groups beginning their seasons with cup fixtures on Saturday 5 September.
The Under-14s made an excellent start, recording a 3-0 victory, while the Under-15s narrowly missed out after a 2-1 defeat.
There was also a spectacular start for the Under-18s, who produced an emphatic 11-1 victory to lay down an early marker for the season.
Under-18s Head Coach Atalay Ozsoy was delighted with his side’s performance but was keen to focus on the wider development of his players.
“It was a brilliant way for the girls to start the season. To score 11 goals is obviously fantastic, but what pleased me most was the way the team played and the attitude they showed throughout the game…
…We’ve worked hard during pre-season and the players have taken a lot of that work into the first competitive match. There was good energy, good football and a real desire to keep improving…
…The result gives us a great platform, but we know it’s only the beginning. The JPL is going to provide a really good level of competition, and our aim is to keep developing these players and preparing them for the next step in their football journey.”
With the season now underway, the focus across AFC Wimbledon’s Girls’ Pathway will be on developing players both on and off the pitch, continuing to build resilient teams, drive individual development and create a strong culture of togetherness throughout the pathway.