The UDA Gloucestershire Women’s program is proud to announce an exciting new partnership with Cheltenham Town Women Football Club, making UDA the club’s official development team. This agreement creates a performance-driven pathway for student-athletes to compete at one of the highest levels of the women’s game, while pursuing their academic degrees through the University of Gloucestershire.
​“This opportunity to be paired with a Tier Three club in the National League provides greater potential for player development than what is typically available through local grassroots football,” said Brian Haley, Executive Director of UDA. “Our players will now have access to a professional environment that matches their ambitions and supports their growth both on and off the pitch.”
The partnership, signed this week by Haley and CTWFC Chair Andy Liddle, provides UDA student-athletes with access to Cheltenham Town Women’s coaching staff, shared training sessions, and the opportunity to be selected for the first-team squad. Under the leadership of UDA Program Director Steve Lilley, the relationship will ensure UDA women are integrated into a performance-oriented, well-structured academy environment.
“This is a significant step toward fulfilling UDA’s commitment to top-tier training and competitive matches,” Haley added. “It aligns perfectly with the high standards our U.S.-based recruitment team seeks. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship — allowing Cheltenham Town Women to access a pipeline of promising talent, while our players are challenged to reach their full potential.”
The partnership is further elevated by the appointment of Aneaka Reay-Kemp as head coach. Reay-Kemp, a standout female coach and participant in the Powerhouse Project supported by The FA and Nike, brings elite coaching and mentorship to the UDA women’s program.
“Steve Lilley has put together a fantastic multi-disciplinary coaching team for women,” Haley noted. “With Aneaka’s leadership and the support of the UDA and Cheltenham Town staff, the program now meets all the needs for top-class player development.”
Haley concluded, “We’re very excited to get started — especially with the talented incoming class of student-athletes and our returning players in September. They’ll be stepping into a true high-performance football and academic environment.”

During their visit, the students had the opportunity to play against the club's reserve team. They secured an impressive 4-3 victory, leaving a positive impression on the club's staff. This marks an encouraging first step in developing a relationship for our UDA students.​

Beyond their training and match at the club, the students also enjoyed exploring the local area, often referred to as the "Venice of Portugal," and had some valuable downtime on the beach.

Steve Lilley, Program Director at the University of Gloucestershire, commented, "I’ve been on dozens of tours over the years and this was among the most successful. Our hosts were incredibly welcoming, and the facilities were fantastic. In addition, those players representing UDA conducted themselves brilliantly on and off the pitch. I look forward to our relationship with Beira Mar blossoming over the next few years - they are an extremely forward-thinking club and match our culture and values.”

John Dyke, Program Director at the University of Chester, added,
"Reflecting on our recent trip to Portugal, I'm thrilled to see our UDA students showcase their talent on the field and provide an opportunity for UDA to build meaningful connections with the Beira Mar football club. This relationship marks a significant step in creating pathways for our students, blending football with cultural exploration. It’s moments like these that truly enrich player experiences."
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UDA is proud to announce a new 10-year partnership with Viney St Swithins Sports Club, which will officially become the match day home for UDA teams beginning in the 2025/26 season.

This exciting collaboration marks a significant step forward in our mission to provide student-athletes with a high-performance football environment alongside an internationally recognized university degree through the University of Gloucestershire.

Our relationship with Viney St Swithins began organically last year, following a County Cup fixture. It quickly became clear that we share a strong alignment in values and vision — not only in football development, but also in community-building and long-term investment in sport. Together, we are committed to creating a hub for elite football and community engagement.

What This Means for UDA:

• A dedicated match day home for UDA teams
• Access to top-class facilities, with significant infrastructure developments underway
• A true home base to build a lasting football legacy in the UK
• Enhanced facilities that allow UDA to progress through the football pyramid and provide a true match day experience

This long-term agreement includes investment in ground and clubhouse improvements — including new floodlights, upgraded spectator areas, and improved player amenities. These enhancements will not only benefit UDA but also elevate the overall profile of the Forest of Dean region and Viney St Swithins Sports Club.

“We are thrilled to call Viney St Swithins our new match day home,” said Brian Haley, Executive Director of UDA. “Their vision for growth and excellence matches our own, and this partnership allows us to build something special together. It’s a home our players, coaches, and supporters can be proud of.”

This partnership ensures that UDA student-athletes will continue to face strong competition and have the support, facilities, and visibility they need to thrive both academically and athletically.

We look forward to officially launching this partnership in the 2025/26 season and building a future of success — on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.

We are delighted to announce that Aneaka Reay-Kemp will join UDA Soccer at the University of Gloucestershire as our new Head of Women’s Academy.

Director Steve Lilley personally recruited Aneaka for her exceptional leadership qualities. “Aneaka is an ideal role model for our UDA women,” Steve said. “Her military background brings discipline, focus, commitment, and professionalism—exactly what we want in our student‑athlete experience.”

Aneaka was identified through the Powerhouse Project Cohort (supported by the English FA and Nike) as a coach with outstanding potential. “I’ve seen her in action in my role as a Coach Educator,” Steve added. “Her enthusiasm, tactical insight, and genuine passion for developing players—both on and off the pitch—are second to none. Aneaka also coaches with the British Army Women’s Senior Squad and is completing her UEFA B Licence.”

Aneaka shared her excitement:
“I’m eager to begin working with the UDA women and grateful for Steve’s mentorship. I’ve coached high‑performance athletes before, and I can’t wait to help these players grow—both as footballers and as people. I’m fully committed to unlocking their full potential.”
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Please join us in welcoming Aneaka to UDA Glos as we embark on this exciting new chapter for our UoG Women’s Academy!

We are delighted to announce the launch of a Women's Chester Academy in September 2025. The academy will play in the university league and against top-tier women's teams in the north west region of England. In addition, players will also have the opportunity to compete for Chester City Ladies and/or other clubs in higher tiers of the English women's game under the direction of our UDA staff.

The initial squad will comprise students from around the USA.Our Women’s Recruitment Director, Brenton Dawson has been developing a pool of qualified women both on and off the field from across the USA over the last two years. For 2025, we already have 14 student-athletes committed to joining our program. These women visited the University of Chester last summer where they were able to meet the coaching staff and academic faculty, view facilities, and see the iconic city of Chester. 
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This winter break, Jax Hundt stayed on campus and spent his time training with the GCAFC First Team. 

Jax has had the opportunity to train with the Firsts before, but this time he was able to spend even more time with the team and coaching staff.

"Getting my initial chance to be a part of the First Team’s game subs was proof that hard work pays off! Before that I had had the privilege to practice with them a few times and then I had the honor to be a part of the team on game day versus Bristol City. The atmosphere and pace are exactly what I have been looking forward to. I respect their competitive nature because it reflects my own. I long for the physicality and aggressive level of their play."

Jax isn't the only UDA student-athlete who has been able to train with the First Team. We've had several student-athletes who have all been invited to spend a few training sessions at the next level.

Over winter break, Jax trained with the First Team during every practice. "I got to warm-up with them twice before their games and I even traveled to an away game with their captain Hanksy and Spencer. I always feel welcomed by the players and coaches. The way they prepare before the games is similar to a whole elite training session. I definitely feel like I belong and fit in as a part of the team and I am extremely excited for more opportunities to play with the first team and to get to have big moments with them!"

Thank you Jax for sharing your winter break experience with us! This is just one example of the opportunities our student-athletes have when they take their university and soccer experience abroad. ​