Women's Football Academy

The Hartpury University Women's Football Academy supports ambitious players who want to continue developing their football while achieving academically. The programme provides a genuine dual-career environment where football and education work hand in hand.

Depending on your chosen course and football commitments, there may be opportunities to combine your studies with training and competition within the Football Academy. Students benefit from experienced coaching, competitive fixtures and excellent facilities, while the level of performance support available varies depending on team allocation and Sports Academy membership tier.

What makes Hartpury different is the strong sense of community that runs throughout the programme. Players are part of a close-knit environment where staff and teammates know them as individuals, support their development and share a collective ambition to be the best women's football programme in the country.

The programme continues to grow and create new opportunities for female footballers. The introduction Hartpury Women FC, our weekend team into the national football pyramid and the team's first appearance in the FA Women's Cup are important milestones in the academy's development.

We're looking for players who are hardworking, resilient and willing to learn. Successful players understand the importance of balancing football and education, embrace feedback and are committed to improving every day.

Academy team

Leah Burridge, Women's Football Academy Manager

Leah leads the Hartpury Women's Football programme and brings over a decade of experience within the female game as both a player and coach.

A UEFA B Licence coach, Leah began her professional playing career with Yeovil Town Ladies at the age of 18 and was part of the squad that secured promotion from WSL 2 into WSL 1. She has also represented Exeter City, Wolves Women, Oxford United and Bridgwater United, competing primarily within Tier 3 of the women's football pyramid.

Alongside her role at Hartpury, Leah is part of the England Talent Pathway, supporting talented female footballers as they progress through the Lionesses development pathway. This provides valuable insight into the standards, expectations and opportunities available within the women's game.

As Women's Football Manager and Head Coach of the Women's FC Weekend Team and University BUCS Team, Leah oversees the development of the programme and works closely with players to support their football, academic and personal progression.

Having experienced both professional and semi-professional football herself, Leah understands the challenges young players face and is passionate about creating an environment where players feel supported, challenged and empowered to achieve their goals.

Get in touch

The Wider Academy team

Women's Football Academy players benefit from access to a multidisciplinary team focused on both performance and wellbeing.

Depending on team and membership tier, support may include strength and conditioning coaching, physiotherapy, sports nutrition, performance analysis, performance lifestyle support and psychological support.

Together, these specialists provide a holistic approach to player development, ensuring students are supported both as footballers and as people.

At Hartpury, we understand that our players are students first and footballers second. Our aim is to create an environment where you can perform at your best both academically and on the pitch.

Depending on your chosen course and football commitments, there may be opportunities to combine your studies with training and competition within the Football Academy. Carefully planned timetables help students balance lectures, training, fixtures, gym sessions and recovery, allowing them to maximise both their academic and sporting development.

Coaches and academic staff work closely together to monitor progress and provide support where needed. Regular communication helps identify challenges early and ensures students receive the support required to succeed.

We have high expectations in both the classroom and on the pitch. Students are expected to attend lessons and lectures, meet deadlines and demonstrate the same commitment to their academic work that they show in training and competition.

What to expect as a player

Life as a Hartpury Women's Football player is structured around helping you succeed both academically and athletically.

The example timetable below provides an overview of what a typical week may look like. Training schedules, fixtures and support sessions vary depending on your team, academic timetable and the stage of the season. Additional activities such as performance analysis, recovery sessions, player meetings and individual development work are also incorporated throughout the year.

Example timetable BUCS and Hartpury Women’s FC (Weekend Team):

Day	Time	Activity
Monday	7pm – 8.30pm	On-pitch training
Monday	8.30pm – 9.30pm	Strength and conditioning
Wednesday	Morning / Afternoon	Fixtures
Thursday	5.30pm – 6pm	Performance analysis (Hartpury Women’s FC)
	6pm – 7pm	Strength and conditioning
	7pm – 8.30pm	On-pitch training
Saturday	Recovery or individual programmes
Sunday	Afternoon	Hartpury Women FC fixtures

Being part of the Hartpury Women's Football Programme comes with high expectations.

Players are expected to attend training, fixtures, meetings and academic sessions. They should arrive prepared and ready to learn, demonstrate professionalism and respect, take ownership of their development, maintain high standards on and off the pitch, and balance their football and academic commitments effectively.

Through our academy relationships and wider football network, players have opportunities to build connections within the women's game. Current and former players have links with clubs including Aston Villa, Birmingham City and Bristol City.

We have also provided opportunities for players to compete against high-level opposition, including Wales U16 and Tottenham Hotspur. Experiences like these help players understand the standards required at the highest levels of football and prepare them for future opportunities.

Women's Football Academy athletes train within a professional sporting environment designed to support player development both on and off the pitch. Depending on your team and Sports Academy membership tier, you may have access to:

Maintained grass and 3G football pitches
Performance and Power Gyms
Performance analysis technology
Rehabilitation suite and medical facilities
Hot and cold recovery baths
Human Performance and Biomechanics Laboratories

Together, these facilities provide an outstanding environment for technical development, physical preparation, recovery and performance analysis.

Performance services

Access to performance services and coaches varies depending on your team and Sports Academy membership tier. Support may include:

Strength and conditioning
Sport science
Physiotherapy
Performance analysis
Nutrition support
Performance lifestyle support
Psychological support
Injury prevention and rehabilitation

These services are designed to help players maximise performance while supporting their long-term health, wellbeing and development.

Sports Academy Membership

Squad structure

The Hartpury Women's Football Programme provides opportunities for players at different stages of their football journey, with a clear pathway from college football through to senior women's football.

At university and senior level, players may represent:

Hartpury University Women (BUCS)
Hartpury Women FC, our senior weekend team, which includes both college and university players.

Player development is individual and progression can vary from year to year. Our programme is designed to provide a flexible pathway, with opportunities for players to compete across multiple teams and competitions where appropriate.

Selection is based on a player's development, performance, attitude and the needs of each team. This approach allows players to move between squads as they develop, gain experience and challenge themselves at different levels of the game.

Players have the opportunity to compete in a variety of leagues and competitions throughout the season.

Hartpury University Women compete in BUCS Premier League South.
Hartpury Women FC compete in the South West Regional Women's League.

The BUCS Women's team and Hartpury Women FC typically sit within our highest-level performance programme and provide opportunities for players to compete at the strongest levels available within the academy structure.

Membership fees

All players representing a Hartpury Sports Academy are required to hold the appropriate Sports Academy membership.

For full details on membership options, fees and benefits, visit the Sports Academy Membership page.

Players should also budget for football kit and additional sportswear, which are purchased separately through the Hartpury online shop and are not included within the Sports Academy membership fee.

Sports Academy Membership

We're looking for ambitious footballers who want to develop within a high-performance environment while continuing their education.

To join the Women's Football Academy, you'll need to:

Apply for a Hartpury University course. We recommend you attend an Open Day to find out about our courses and make sure Hartpury is right for you.
Register your interest in the academy.
Share details of your football experience, clubs and achievements – provide video footage where available.

Next steps

Ready to take the next step? Apply for your chosen university course and register your interest in the Women's University Football Academy.

If you're still exploring your options, complete the interest form below and we'll help you discover whether Hartpury is the right fit for you and your football journey.