Five Belles Development squad players have signed Senior squad contracts for the 2022-23 season.
Phoebe Marrow, Amy Nowell, Louisa Barraclough, Izzy Gigg, and Sidni Simmons will be available for First Team selection this coming season after excelling for the Development squad last year and impressing in recent Senior squad pre-season games and training.
Sidni (age sixteen) and Phoebe (age seventeen) have been with Belles RTC since U12's. Sidni said:"I've worked my way through the years in the RTC and to get to Senior level is fantastic for me. I want to prove myself to everyone, get in the team, and go as far as I can in football.
Phoebe added:"This is a massive opportunity for me. I'm going to keep working hard, give 100% and aim to get as many First Team minutes as I can. I want to play at the highest level I can and enjoy it.
Seventeen-year old Izzy joined the Development squad from Brighouse Town last year. She said:"I can’t wait for the season to start. This is a good club with a good legacy and history and I’m very excited to be a part of it.
Amy, who was a second-half substitute in the Belles FA Cup game against Stoke City last season, said:"I’m excited. I want to get as many minutes as possible with the First Team – that means working hard and pushing myself and playing to the best of my ability.
Louisa has featured heavily in pre-season games and is pleased to be stepping up. She said:"It's really good to sign for the First Team. I’ve come through the Devs and I want to improve and get as many minutes as I can - I'm really looking forward to the challenge.
RTC Director Amanda Greenslade said:"We are delighted for the girls who are making the step into the First Team squad. The RTC and the U18's have given girls in the area a clear pathway into open age football. Doncaster Rovers Belles have a strong tradition in developing youth players and giving opportunities so it is great to see that continue.
"It’s a big step into open age football for any youth player, but we now think we have a good proven model that is preparing the girls for this transition. The players' hard work and dedication, as well as the support from the coaches and physios, has been outstanding and has allowed so many to be given the opportunities they deserve.
Belles First Team Coach Nick Buxton said:" We’re really pleased to have so many Devs join the First Team this year. The girls have worked hard in pre-season to earn the right to be involved, and it’s now down to them to push for a First Team place. Myself and Andy will help them wherever we can to make them even better players and hopefully First Team regulars.
"Now that they’re training with the Senior squad, we expect their fitness to further improve along with other aspects of their professional and personal development. The hope is that they will make our squad stronger, help us push on and gain promotion this season - they're great girls to work with and we're delighted to have them join us.
To sponsor our five new Senior squad players, please contact commercial@clubdoncaster.co.uk
The best way to watch the Belles this season is to buy a Belles season ticket, available to purchase now from the Club Doncaster Box Office by calling on 01302 762576, or online at tickets.clubdoncaster.co.uk.