Tring Athletic FC announces launch of U18 ladies team
Tring Athletic Football Club has announced a major milestone in the club’s continued growth and long‑term commitment to women’s and girls’ football: the official creation of the Tring Athletic U18 Ladies Team, set to compete in the 2026/27 season. This follows the successful introduction of Tring Athletic Ladies at the start of this season, who are providing opportunities for adult ladies to play football competitively in the local region.
The club are appointing an exceptional coaching team to lead this exciting new chapter.
- Richard Graves – Operations Lead
- Nicky Petrou – Coaching Lead
- Mat Boswell – Mindset & Player Development Lead
Richard, Nicky, and Mat bring an impressive blend of technical knowledge, footballing experience, and player‑focused leadership. Their impact is already proven: the team they currently coach together, Tring Tornadoes U16s, is on a remarkable 13‑game winning streak, demonstrating the strength and cohesion they bring as a unit.
An inspiring open evening set the tone earlier this month at the club’s ground to introduce plans for the upcoming season. The club welcomed 18 enthusiastic players and their parents, creating an electric atmosphere that captured the excitement surrounding this new team. Throughout the evening, Richard, Nicky, and Mat shared their vision for the season, one centred entirely on player development, wellbeing, ambition, and opportunity. Their message was clear: the girls will be supported on and off the pitch with a level of care, structure, and professionalism that reflects the club’s values.
Tring Athletic welcomed Imtiaz Choudry, Managing Director of HAB Law, as the main shirt sponsor of the U18 Ladies. Imtiaz spoke passionately at the event about her commitment to supporting the girls’ journey and her excitement to invest in their future for the next three years. Her endorsement is a powerful statement about the belief in what the team can achieve and the legacy being built for women’s football in Tring.
Commenting on this initiative, Darrell Osborne, Chairman of Tring Athletic said: ‘This development marks a significant and ambitious step forward for the club, reflecting our dedication to providing high‑quality pathways, support, and opportunities for young female players across the region.’
The introduction of an under 18s ladies team mirrors the current successful structure of the men’s side of the club where the under 18s support the senior teams and provide an ambitious pathway for players to progress their football.
The coaching team of Richard, Nicky and Matt said: ‘This is an incredibly exciting time for the players, the coaches and Tring Athletic. With ambitious plans, dedicated coaches, supportive parents, and a talented group of players, the foundations are firmly in place for something special. The club is going from strength to strength, and we cannot wait to see the impact the U18 Ladies will make as the new season approaches.
‘Before then, we wish the Tring Tornadoes U16s the strongest possible finish to their current campaign. Their success and spirit will serve as the perfect springboard for a seamless transition into the Tring Athletic family later this year.’
For further updates, follow Tring Athletic FC across its website and social media platforms, or get in touch by email at u18ladies@tringathletic.co.uk.