New Girls' Football Pathway Launches at Worthing FC

Worthing FC has announced the formation of a new women’s under-19 development squad as part of a five-year plan to expand opportunities for local girls in football.

The initiative follows the success of the club’s senior women’s team, which has secured two promotions in two years and finished fifth in their first National League season.

The new team will enter the Sussex Women and Girls’ Football League for the 2025–26 season and be managed by UEFA B coach Sam Karacochi. Karacochi, who has worked in women’s football locally for eight years, proposed a full youth pathway comprising under-14, under-16, under-18, and open-age development squads to support progression to the senior team. The lack of an elite pathway in the area previously made it difficult for local girls to access advanced coaching and competition.

To facilitate the project, Worthing FC has partnered with Davison School, an all-girls secondary school currently building a 3G pitch. The site will be managed by Southdown Leisure and serve as the training base for the new team. With backing from local councillors, the club hopes the school will become the long-term home of girls’ and women’s football in Worthing. Girls aged 16–19 interested in joining can apply via worthingfc.com.