Belles Launch "Project Phoenix"
Doncaster Rovers Belles have announced a multi-million pound plan for a state-of-the-art training facility and full-time, professional contracts to a number of its players - for the first time in the club’s history. The six-time FA Women’s Cup winners and twice Women’s Premier League champions plan to build the first dedicated elite women’s training facility in the UK. Having risen from the ashes following the club’s ill-fated 2013 league disappointment, the aptly-named ‘Project Phoenix’ will see approximately 10 players given full-time, professional football contracts - a first for the club following their fledgling beginnings in 1969. The brand new facility will be based near Bawtry with plans for a mix of five grass and artificial pitches of varying sizes, a physiotherapy room, dressing rooms, an indoor heated pool, ice baths, a gym, residential rooms and offices. The training centre will be named the Belle Vue Belles, in honour of the original name of the Belles and the ground where they were first formed from lottery ticket sellers at Doncaster Rovers matches. Players will have first priority on the facilities, enabling full-time training and housing opportunities. The project incorporates plans, it is hoped, which will lead to the development of a Centre of Excellence to bring through the next generation of Belles stars.