Manchester United and England Lioness Ella Toone MBE has unveiled a national ET7 female football Scholarship Programme, becoming the first current women’s professional footballer to launch a dedicated post-16 football and education scholarship initiative of this scale.
Partnership Between Ella Toone & Access Sport
Partnering with Access Sport, the programme has been created to provide young women aged 16–19 with a structured pathway that combines elite football development with accredited education and career focused opportunities. It is designed to bridge the gap between grassroots football, higher education and the professional game, creating long term pathways for young women both on and off the pitch.
Launching in September 2026, in Manchester then being launched across multiple national hubs over the next 5 years, the ET7 programme has been created to meet the accelerating demand in women’s football while addressing the long standing gap in structured, female specific post-16 performance environments.
Women’s and girls’ football participation in England has grown significantly in recent years, with millions of active players nationwide and a continued rise in grassroots teams and school access. However, progression routes between grassroots football and the professional or higher-education game remain limited.
The ET7 Scholarship Programme aims to bridge that gap.
A Role Model For Young Women On and Off The Pitch
Ella Toone has become far more than a talented footballer, she is now one of the most influential role models for young women in modern sport. Through her performances, personality, and openness, she represents a new generation of athletes who inspire both on and off the pitch. Her success story shows young girls that determination, confidence, and authenticity can take you to the very top while still allowing you to stay true to yourself.
On the pitch, Ellas journey is a powerful example of perseverance and hard work. Rising through the ranks to play for Manchester United Women and the England women’s national football team, she has shown that dedication and resilience are essential to success. Her memorable goal in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 Final became an iconic moment in English football history and inspired countless young girls watching around the world.
What makes Ella Toone especially admired, however, is her character away from football. She comes across as genuine, relatable, and down-to-earth. Rather than presenting a perfect image, she has spoken honestly about challenges, pressure, and difficult moments in her life. This openness encourages important conversations around confidence, wellbeing, and resilience, showing young women that vulnerability can exist alongside strength and ambition.
Ella also uses her platform to positively promote women’s sport and inspire greater participation in football. By encouraging girls to believe in their abilities and pursue opportunities in sport, she helps break down outdated stereotypes about what women can achieve. Her positive attitude, enthusiasm, and team spirit make her a role model not just for aspiring athletes, but for any young woman working towards a goal.
Creating an environment to dream, believe and achieve
Speaking on the launch, Ella Toone said:
“Football changed my life. The ET7 Academy is my way of giving back and creating something that gives girls real opportunities. It’s about more than just playing it’s about education, confidence and genuine pathways into the game and beyond. I want girls to be able to dream, believe and achieve in an environment built specifically for them.”
A Platform For Personal Growth
On the partnership Access Sport managing director Gary Judge said:
“We’re incredibly proud to be launching this partnership with ET7 and working alongside Ella to create a programme that gives girls real opportunities within the game. At Access Sport College, we’re passionate about providing an environment where players can develop their football while also focusing on education, confidence and personal growth.
By combining the vision behind ET7 with the pathways we provide at the college, we want to give young players the platform to believe in their potential and pursue opportunities both in football and beyond.”
Creating Clear Pathways & Opportunities
Access Sport Head of Education Kayleigh Wheller added:
“Being part of the launch of the Ella Toone Academy in partnership with ET7 is something I’m incredibly proud of. As a female leader in sport, I know how important it is for young girls to see clear pathways and real opportunities within the game.
This programme is about more than just developing talented footballers, it’s about building confidence, ambition and helping young women believe in what they can achieve both on and off the pitch. At Access Sport College, we’re passionate about creating an environment where girls can grow as players, as students and as future leaders in sport.
Launching this ET7 Academy around International Women’s Day makes it even more special, as it represents our commitment to supporting the next generation of women in football and giving them the platform they deserve.”
Final Thoughts
Launching at the fantastic Hough End Leisure Centre and Football Hub this September, the ET7 Academy Scholarship Programme powered by Access Sport offers an exciting opportunity for young females currently in Year 11 or Year 12 to combine their passion for football with further education. Designed to support both athletic and academic development, the programme provides elite coaching, competitive fixtures, and valuable educational pathways in a professional environment.
Young players who are eager to develop their game while continuing their studies are encouraged to register their interest and find out more about the programme by visiting the official ET7 Academy Manchester page.
