Ghana’s Ridge City FC partners with English club Everton
Ridge City is the first African club to join the EIAAP programme, which seeks to expand the knowledge and expertise of Everton’s player development processes to affiliated clubs globally.
Everton is hoping to help expand the profile of Ridge City Football Club by facilitating and developing the women’s game in Ghana and offering a pathway for players.
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The two clubs will also collaborate on player and coach development, coach education and helping Ridge City establish themselves as a foundation club for women in Ghana.
Cleopatra Nsiah Nketiah, CEO of Ridge City, expressed her excitement towards the partnership and is looking forward to achieving great things with Everton.
“I am super excited about the partnership. We have been looking for an opportunity like this for a long time and the most important thing for us is that women in Ghana are serious about playing football.”
“I feel like our relationship with Everton will help us on that pathway and let our people know that in Ghana you can play football and that there can be a career path, perhaps even having a chance to travel to the UK and trial there.”
“The environment and resources Everton can provide is a huge pull and the opportunity to have online coaching programmes to follow, and even potential visits by their coaches, is another real positive that we can tap into, to help our women feel that they are part of something bigger.”
“I want to let the world know that we can see a pathway forward for Ridge City and this is a relationship we can’t wait to be a part of.”
Paddy Byrne, Everton’s International Technical Manager, expressed optimism about the partnership and is looking forward to visiting Ghana soon.
Byrne said: “We are delighted to welcome Ridge City as an inaugural women’s partner club to Everton’s International Academy Affiliate programme.”
“I’m excited to work with Cleopatra and her team and help them to build on the solid foundations laid in only four years of existence.
“We feel there is plenty of opportunity for them to grow – and by sharing our values and coaching methods we will build on the affiliate programme in a new territory.
“I am sure this will prove a fruitful partnership for both clubs, and we can’t wait to get started.”
