Manchester City Women have unveiled a new £10m state-of-the-art headquarters designed exclusively for the women's team, featuring personalized amenities and cutting-edge training equipment. The facility, located at the City Football Academy adjacent to the Joie Stadium, includes a gym with hamstring strength testing kit, an underwater treadmill, and a barista-style coffee machine, all aimed at maximizing performance for female athletes.
Personalized Touches and Superstitions
The canteen offers individually engraved chopsticks for Japanese players and bespoke recovery shakes, such as pineapple and mango for Khadija "Bunny" Shaw. The changing room is designed in a circle to promote equality, with players' names arranged in squad number order, except for Shaw, placed next to captain Alex Greenwood to maintain a superstition.
Captain's Praise
Captain Alex Greenwood, who will lift the WSL trophy on Saturday, described the facility as the best she has seen for a women's team. "At England, we have St George's Park, which is incredible. At Lyon, we had a facility that was OK. But nothing comes close to this," she said, hoping other clubs will follow suit.
Focus on Performance and Recovery
The gym equipment is programmed for female athletes, including non-invasive shock wave therapy. Recovery drinks are tailored to each player's schedule and nutrition plan. The physios and doctor are based adjacent to the gym to reduce injury risk.
Culinary Excellence
Three chefs work exclusively with the women's team, planning menus around their schedule. A chef also travels to away games. Emma Deakin, director of performance services, noted the facility feels like a home, unlike the shared canteen with the academy.
Building a Winning Culture
Managing director Charlotte O'Neill emphasized the goal of building a "winning machine." The squad moved into the 17,000 sq ft building on 10 March and have since won their first WSL title in a decade and reached the FA Cup final. The facility includes a players' lounge that converts into a meeting room, fostering connections between players and coach.
Future Aspirations
O'Neill expressed interest in entering an academy team into the Women's National League, following FA proposals to include WSL academy sides in the third tier from 2027. She expects only key additions to the squad this summer, not an overhaul.
The honours wall in reception leaves ample space for future trophies, signaling the club's ambition to dominate women's football.
