Leeds United Women Open Trials Announced at Thorp Arch Leeds 2026

Key Points

• Leeds United Women have officially opened applications for open trials for the upcoming 2026/27 season.
• The trials are scheduled for Tuesday, 2nd June and Thursday, 4th June 2026.
• All sessions will be held at the club’s elite Thorp Arch training facility between 19:00 and 21:00.
• Applicants must be at least 16 years of age to participate.
• The recruitment drive follows a successful 2025/26 season where the club secured a third-place finish and won the West Riding County Cup.
• The club has a historic reputation for developing elite talent, including former England internationals like Steph Houghton and Rachel Daly.

Leeds (The Leeds Times) May 15, 2026 — Leeds United Women have confirmed they will host open trials this June as manager Simon Wood begins the process of shaping his squad for the 2026/27 FA Women’s National League Division One North season. As reported by the club’s official media department, the sessions are designed to identify new talent capable of bolstering a side that has recently enjoyed one of its most competitive periods in recent years. The trials are set to take place at the prestigious Thorp Arch training ground, the same high-performance environment used by the men’s first team and academy squads, providing a professional backdrop for hopefuls looking to break into the semi-professional ranks.

What are the specific dates and requirements for the 2026/27 trials?

According to official club communications, the trial process will be split across two evening sessions to allow the coaching staff ample time to assess the technical and physical attributes of the attendees.

The sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, 2nd June and Thursday, 4th June, with both sets of trials running from 19:00 to 21:00. In a statement released via the club’s digital channels, Leeds United Women specified that the trials are open to “aspiring players” who wish to “showcase their talent.”

However, there is a strict age criterion in place: all participants must be aged 16 or over by the time the trials commence. This ensures that any successful candidates are eligible for senior registration within the FA Women’s National League framework.

The club has encouraged ambitious players from across the region and beyond to apply, highlighting the session as a primary entry point into their “growing and competitive” setup.

How did Leeds United Women perform during the 2025/26 season?

The timing of these trials follows a period of significant on-field success for the Whites. Reporting on the team’s recent trajectory, club officials noted that the side enjoyed an “impressive 2025/26 season.”

Simon Wood’s squad finished third in the FA Women’s National League Division One North, maintaining a consistent title challenge for much of the year.

Further cementing their status as a dominant force in Yorkshire football, the club also secured silverware by lifting the West Riding County Cup.

This dual success of high league placement and cup glory has set a high benchmark for the 2026/27 campaign, necessitating a recruitment drive that brings in players capable of closing the gap on the top two spots in the league.

Which famous players have previously progressed through the Leeds United pathway?

One of the primary draws for trialists is the club’s storied history of player development. Leeds United Women has long been recognised as a vital

“pathway for talented players to develop and progress within the game.”

The club’s recruitment literature frequently cites the success of former players who have reached the pinnacle of international football.

Among the high-profile alumni who once wore the Leeds United shirt are:

• Steph Houghton: The legendary former England captain.
• Rachel Daly: A key figure in England’s recent major tournament successes.
• Sue Smith: The veteran winger and celebrated pundit.
• Carly Telford: The long-serving Lionesses goalkeeper.
• Jess Clarke: The prolific forward with extensive international experience.

By highlighting these names, the club emphasizes that while they currently compete in the third and fourth tiers of the English game, the infrastructure and coaching quality at Leeds remain capable of producing world-class talent.

How does Simon Wood plan to integrate trialists into the existing squad?

Manager Simon Wood, as indicated by club reports, views these trials as a fundamental part of his “preparations for another exciting campaign.”

Unlike professional clubs that rely solely on scouting networks, Leeds United Women continue to utilize the open trial system to ensure no local talent is overlooked.

The transition from the 2025/26 season into the new term is expected to be one of evolution, with the coaching staff looking for specific profiles to complement the core group of players who secured the third-place finish last May.

Background of the Leeds United Women Development

The development of Leeds United Women is a story of resilience and restructuring. Originally founded in 1989, the club was a founding member of the FA Women’s Premier League and reached the FA Women’s Cup final in 2006 and 2008. However, the club faced significant challenges in the mid-2010s when they were not initially granted a license for the newly formed FA Women’s Super League (WSL).

In recent years, the club has been reintegrated more closely with the Leeds United men’s setup, benefiting from shared resources, branding, and training facilities at Thorp Arch.

This reintegration has been pivotal in professionalizing the women’s operation. Under the current leadership, the goal has been to climb back up the English football pyramid.

The 2025/26 season’s success—specifically the third-place league finish and the County Cup victory—marked a significant milestone in this rebuilding phase, proving that the club is once again a destination for top-tier regional talent. The open trials are a continuation of this “open-door” philosophy that seeks to combine homegrown Yorkshire grit with technical proficiency.

Explore More Leeds United News

Farke insists Leeds must match his ambition at Elland Road in 2026

Leeds United Target Zian Flemming to Replace Joël Piroe: West Yorkshire 2026

Prediction: How will these trials affect aspiring players and the club’s future?

The announcement of these trials is expected to generate a high volume of applications, potentially creating a “talent surge” within the Leeds United Women’s academy and first-team fringes. For aspiring players (the primary audience), these trials represent one of the few remaining direct pathways into a high-performance environment without the need for an agent or an existing professional CV.

The opportunity to train at Thorp Arch—a facility that meets Premier League standards—provides a psychological and professional boost that can redefine a young player’s career trajectory.

From a club perspective, if Simon Wood successfully identifies even two or three “undiscovered” gems through this process, it could provide the depth necessary to transform a third-place team into title favorites. By integrating fresh, hungry talent with the experienced core that won the West Riding County Cup, Leeds United Women are likely to increase their goal-scoring output and defensive resilience.

Historically, these trials often result in the discovery of players who become mainstays in the squad for years to come. Consequently, the 2026/27 season is predicted to see Leeds United Women firmly established as the “team to beat” in Division One North, likely challenging for promotion to the FA Women’s Championship.