Story added: 13th July 2018

CSF Girls’ Football Development Manager keen to help females both on and off the pitch.

From a young age, it was clear to 26-year-old Paige Shorten that football was her passion.

With a long spell at the Foundation’s Girls Centre of Excellence (COE) and now the CSF  Girls’ Football Development Manager, Paige aims to give females across the eastern region the best opportunities both on and off the pitch.

“I first started getting into football when I was little. My Dad coached Kirkley FC and I was always keen to go along to watch and even have a kick about with the team.”

The Canary fan had her first glimpse of representing Norwich City when she was invited to the Girls’ Player Development Centre (PDC) trials in Lowestoft aged 9.

“I was very nervous before my trial, I’d never been to something like that before and knew this was one of the only chances to be selected for the elite pathway.”

Success at the trials saw Paige (pictured below, second in from left) go on to spend the majority of her youth representing the Foundation’s Girls’ Centre of Excellence (COE).

During this time, Paige was selected to represent the United Kingdom in the Jetix Kids World Cup Tournament in France. She also competed in the Rushden & Diamonds Cup and attended The FA U16 Regional Performance Camp.

Travelling to away fixtures and tours allowed Paige to become more independent.

“CSF gave me the tools to believe in myself and become more confident – I developed not only as a player but as a person.

“Being away from home meant I had to learn to stand on my own two feet and stick to the standards set by the CSF staff. Socially it was great for me too, I made friends for life.”

When Paige finished school the Foundation offered her the chance to become a Youth Sports Apprentice.

“This was the best decision I made, I learnt many new skills, gained qualifications and developed as a coach. I was lucky to work with dedicated, committed staff that wanted the best for not only the players but parents, schools and the community.”

Paige became the Foundation’s Girls’ Football Development Manager in 2017. In her current role, she aims to give females on the programme the chance to grow in a fun, learning and engaging environment.

“I believe it’s important to maximise the best opportunities, experiences, environments and people that will benefit you both now and in the long term. Being connected to my local professional football club was important to me and my family for so many reasons – I loved being with so many like-minded people.

“For me, the pathway has been brilliant. My motivating factor now is that I can see so many of our young players benefitting and growing as people from our programmes and their local club football experiences also”

CSF Chief Executive Officer Ian Thornton said: 

“Paige has had an excellent personal journey using her love of football to grow and develop as a person.  Her parents have been great with us and her and she is a great example of a young lady who has drive and ambition, someone who has made the best of her ability and the opportunities in front of her.”

“We are excited to see Paige’s new ideas to help local girls more in the future and who is the next young player to progress their journey with us.”  

To find out more about our Girls’ Programme contact [email protected].