HARTPURY University recently announced the launch of its first senior women’s football team.

The team are competing in the Women’s Football Pyramid this season, providing a direct pathway for players to progress from college-level football, through the university’s traditional BUCS competition, and into senior weekend football.

The introduction of the new side aligns with the FA Women’s National League’s newly launched 2025–2028 strategy entitled ‘Where Our Game Grows’, which focuses on improving player pathways, strengthening the competitive environment, and developing talent within academic settings.

Leah Burridge, Women’s Football Manager at Hartpury University and College said: “The launch of our senior women’s team is a major step forward for the women’s game at Hartpury, and we’re incredibly proud to align this with the FA Women’s National League’s new strategy, Where Our Game Grows.

“We’re now able to offer a fully integrated pathway all within the same high-performance environment. It means our players can continue their development at every stage without compromising on their education or access to elite-level support.

“This team gives our players a real platform to thrive, and it also gives us the chance to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the women’s game nationally. It’s very exciting, particularly following the recent success of the men’s team. We can’t wait to get started.”

Drawing on Hartpury’s proven track record in elite sport and player development, the club aimed to attract talented female footballers from across the country and provide them with a professional, high-performance environment.

Since the announcement in June of the plans for Hartpury to find a senior female football team manager, Hartpury appointed Matthew Waldron as the new Senior Women’s Football Manager.

Alongside Leah Burridge competed in their first Gloucestershire County Women’s Football League Division One home game Sunday, September 7 against Dursley Town Ladies.