Oxford United will run a girls’ centre of excellence again next season.

The club’s record of producing strong and promising players has helped it to be granted a licence by the Football Association.

And that is despite the FA slashing the number of centres around the country from 52 to almost half following a recent restructuring of the organisation.

Oxford are now just one of 30 to be awarded a licence for the 2011-2012 season, joining clubs such as Everton, Manchester United, Chelsea and Leeds United.

United chairman Kelvin Thomas said: “We are delighted that the FA have recognised the hard work done by the staff and players and granted Oxford United a licence for the Centre of Excellence.

“We are grateful to be able to continue helping to develop the game across Oxfordshire.”

Oxford United Ladies celebrated a cup double last season, winning the Southern Region League Cup and the Oxfordshire Women’s Senior Cup.

The team also finished third in the Southern Region Premiership.

And the reserve team were also celebrating after winning a second consecutive promotion, finishing unbeaten throughout the season.

Among the criteria taken into consideration by the FA was for centres to provide a direct link to the eight FA Women’s Southern League clubs and for centres to have “a track record of producing England players or clearly demonstrate the infrastructure and potential to do so”.

The Academy and Centre of Excellence runs a number of teams from under 9s to the seniors and have had a girls’ centre of excellence for the past four years.

Richard Blackmore, United’s head of youth for girls and academy, said: “We are very happy with the decision and a great deal of work has gone into this over the past four years which has been recognised by the FA.

“We look forward to progressing next season.”

Oxford United Ladies run two squads of 18 players while the Centre of Excellence run four teams of 18.

The club have moved quickly after the news, and have set up trials for next season’s teams at Roman Way, Cowley this month.

Girls wishing to try and gain selection for the under 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17 sides should turn up every Wednesday night this month, between 6-10pm.

The evenings will be in two parts, a technical session and then a game-related session For more information, contact Blackmore on 01865 776120 or 07900 584441, or e-mail rblackmore@ oufc.co.uk.