UDA Gloucestershire Women Announce Official Development Partnership with Cheltenham Town Women FC

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.”

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About UDA Gloucestershire
UDA (University Degrees Abroad) partners with the University of Gloucestershire to provide student-athletes with the opportunity to pursue their degrees while training and competing at a high level of football. The UDA model emphasizes education, personal development, and elite performance.

About Cheltenham Town Women FC
Cheltenham Town Women FC competes in the FA Women’s National League (Tier Three), providing a high-performance environment for players aspiring to reach the top levels of the women’s game.