Story added: 13th August 2024

Four Canaries graduate to Norwich City Women's first team

Four Norwich City Community Sports Foundation Girls’ Academy Development Programme players recently joined Norwich City Women’s first team.

Lara Densley, Issy Moore, Sienna Booty and Jess Barnes were all announced as Norwich City Women players at the start of the 2024/25 season, with the former three all in action during City’s pre-season campaign.

Issy Moore brings versatility to the side, playing predominantly as a midfielder but also possesses the ability to drop into the full-back role. Moore, who was voted Players’ Player of the Season for the Under-16s in the ADP at the conclusion of the last campaign, played in the academy for nine years after joining at age seven.

The central midfielder also played an important part in Dussindale and Hellesdon Rovers promotion to Tier 5 during the 2023/24 season, scoring eight goals in 11 appearances. Moore scored twice in pre-season, both goals coming against Wroxham.

Sienna Booty graduated from the club’s Academy Development Pathway (ADP) at the end of the 2022/23 season, and now moves into senior football for the first time with Norwich City Women. Booty will take up a place in midfield, preferring a central role on the pitch.

Lara Densley – signed from Wroxham – also occupies the wide areas and has proved dangerous already scoring twice against third tier Billericay during pre-season. Densley was part of the academy set-up from 2020 to 2022 and also made up part of the opposition who played City in the final of the Harrod Sport Women’s Cup in May earlier this year.

Central defender Jess Barnes signs on a dual-contract with Dussindale and Hellesdon Women allowing the youngster to accrue minutes for both sides throughout the 2024/25 season.

Barnes graduated from Norwich City’s Academy Development Programme, having joined at age eight and has previously played with Costessey Girls, as well as Sprowston Boys and Girls teams.

Girls’ and Women’s Football Development Manager Summer Ward said:

“There is a clear pathway for our players to progress into Norwich City Women’s setup and this group of girls are testament to that.

“They’ve all performed at a high level during their time in our football and education programme, and whilst the step up is significant, we have no doubt they’ll go on to succeed at this level and continue to show what’s possible to the young players aspiring to follow in their footsteps.

“I’d also like to offer a personal congratulations from myself to all the girls for their call-ups and signings respectively.”