One of the first 20 Clubs Nationally to be granted an FA Licence to operate a Female 'Centre of Excellence', Chelsea Ladies FC runs sides at four age groups (under 10, 12, 14 & 16) competing in the FA South-East Centre of Excellence League.

With five current England Youth Internationals and a reputation for producing players with the ability, capability and mentality for the Clubs senior sides, the Female 'Centre of Excellence' is a well-established fundamental part of the Ladies programme.

The girls have a structured coaching programme incorporating technical skills, tactical understanding, strength & conditioning and psychological constructs to maximise player development and feed the long-term success of the Club.

Director of the Ladies' Centre of Excellence, Keith Harmes said: 'The Centre is one of the strongest in the Country, and is continually looking to develop youngsters into future Ladies players.

'With the Reserve team already boasting many former Centre of Excellence players, and a couple already having been introduced to the first team, we can be rightly proud of both the players and the coaching staff.

'We have also supplied many players over the last three seasons into the international squads at Under 15 and Under 17 level, including two players showcasing at the recent Under 17 World Cup in New Zealand.

'With a team of highly experienced coaching staff, all of whom are committed to the Centre and have worked with us for several seasons, the future continues to look very bright for the Centre.'

Centre Director: Keith Harmes
Centre Administrator: Chris Woodward

Under 16's Head Coach: Keith harmes
Under 14's Head Coach: Emma Barnes
Under 12's Head Coach: Craig Little
Under 10's Head Coach: Clare Nichols
Goalkeeping Coach: Harvey Stillman
Physiotherapist: Michelle Norton

Assistant to the Under 16s: Chris Woodward Assistant to the under 14s: Kim Gililand Assistant to the Under 12s: Ruby Staplehurst Assistant to the Under 10s: Jade Dempster

KEITH HARMES
Currently working toward his A Licence, Keith worked for several seasons at Reading Girls' Centre of Excellence, before moving across to take charge of the Under 14s at Chelsea. Keith took the reigns of the under 16s three seasons ago. The under 16s were league champions in 2006/2007, and winners of the prestigious Dana Cup, held in Denmark, in both 2007 & 2008. The under 16s league is now development based, and non-competitive.

EMMA BARNES
Another of our coaching staff working towards her A Licence, Emma is currently in her sixth season with the Centre, working to bring the potential out of the players, as well as being their first introduction to 11-a-side. Emma is also a full time development officer for female football with the London FA.

CRAIG LITTLE
Craig is our head coach of the under 12s, responsible for introducing the players into the 'Chelsea way'. Working on fast play, understanding patterns of play, as well as further developing their technical/tactical understanding of the game. Craig has been with the centre for three years, and previously worked with our Ladies' Reserves team.

CLARE NICHOLS
Currently in her third season with us, Clare is responsible for our newest and youngest recruits into the club. Working primarily on technique based practices, and developing an understanding of small sided games, it is a vital part of Clare's job to ensure the players express their ability and develop the confidence to display them in game situations. Clare has a full time role as female football development officer with the Surrey FA.

HARVEY STILLMAN
Harvey has been working with our goalkeepers now for three seasons, and has seen two of his protégés in that time receive England call ups, a great credit to him in such a short space of time. A typical goalkeeper himself, Harvey finds time to work with the girls both technically and verbally!

MICHELLE NORTON
Michelle joined the team early in the season, and is the regular qualified physiotherapist dedicated to the Centre of Excellence. A vitally important member of the team for the players and the staff, we are pleased to have her on board.