Lydia Bedford departs for Calgary Wild | OneFootball

Brentford Under-18 head coach Lydia Bedford has joined Canadian side Calgary Wild.

She departs the club after spending a season and a half with the young Bees, playing a key role in the Academy restart project.

Calgary Wild is a part of the newly-formed Northern Super League, which kicks off its inaugural season this April and will become the top tier of women's football in Canada.

Upon her arrival for the 2023/24 season, Bedford oversaw the integration of an entirely new Under-18s squad, guiding them to victory in the Merit League 2 in their debut year. This season has also required the embedding of a large group of first-year scholars.

Bedford was the first female head coach of a professional development phase Premier League side when taking the reins in the summer of 2023.

Speaking on her departure, Academy director Stephen Torpey said: "On behalf of Brentford Football Club, I wish Lydia the best of luck.

"Her hard work and commitment to the Academy restart project, particularly with the Under-18s, has helped create a solid foundation for years to come. Lydia leaves with our blessings, and the Brentford doors are always open for her."

Before joining Brentford, Bedford served as an assistant coach at Arsenal Women, helping the team compete at the top of the Women’s Super League and reach the Women’s Champions League semi-finals against Wolfsburg.

She also managed Leicester City Women, steering them to safety during the 2021/22 season, and gained extensive experience working with England Women’s youth teams at the FA.

Calgary Wild is one of six teams in the Northern Super League, alongside Halifax Tides, Montreal Roses, AFC Toronto, Ottawa Rapid, and Vancouver Rise. The league is owned and operated by Project 8, co-founded by former Canada international Diana Matheson.

Bedford's replacement as U18s head coach will be announced in due course.