Swansea City Girls Development

Swansea City celebrated and reflected on a successful season for its girls and young women's generation at the first Girls Development Player of the Season awards night at the Liberty Stadium.

The ceremony, sponsored by Manor Park Country House Ltd, was an opportunity to look back on a promising year for the club's young female players from age seven to 21.

The Girls Development area of the club continues to make great strides for Swansea City on and off the pitch and is helping introduce more young girls from the local area into competitive football.

Sofia Gimblett (Under 8), Elena Cole (Under 10) and Katie Lee (Under 12) all picked up Club Player of the Year awards for their respective age groups.

Meanwhile, Cerys Bevan (Under 12), Lani Hogben (Under 14) and Molly Cana (Under 16) picked up the Development Player of the Year awards.

Midfielder Megan Kearle, who played in the English Collages League as part of the elite female football academy link-up Swansea City Academy created with Neath Port Talbot Collage this season, was named as Under 21 Player of the Year.

But it was U14s attacker Aneeka Bardsley who scooped the main prize of the evening, named Swansea City Girls Player of the Year.

The skillful and powerful player's eye for goal saw her find the net 57 times in all competitions and earn a place in Wales Under-16s squad.

Nia Davies, Swans Girls Regional Football Development Coordinator, hailed the evening as a successful way to show how far the Girls Development arm of the club has come over the past season.

"I am very proud of the achievements of the players and coaches this year. It has been great to celebrate this seasons successes on and off the pitch," she said.

"All the teams have been brilliant and risen to the challenges we have faced this season.

"So many of these young players have tremendous potential to take the game further, they have great personalities and are a delight to coach. We are always on the lookout for more young female players to welcome into the Girls Development programme at Swansea City."

Swans Academy Manager, Nigel Rees also celebrated the achievements of the young players this season.

"Thank you to all the parents who have supported the Academy this year," he added. "We are fully aware that this is a huge commitment and we are grateful for your support. It has been a long season but a very successful one in terms of the Academy's continued development and the Girls game has been part of that."

Sofia Gimblett

Elena Cole

Katie Lee

Cerys Bevan

Lani Hogben

Molly Cana

Megan Kearle

Aneeka Bardsley