Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Kid goalie’s air save joy
A GIRL of 16 is hoping to secure her dream of becoming a professional goalkeeper as she travels from Shetland to Dundee for football training.
Katie Anderson, from Burra, has been flying 300 miles from her home for specialist coaching with BGK Academy every four to six weeks – all while keeping up with her school work and social life.
The teenager, who currently plays for Shetland Girls FC’s under-18s team, has dreams of launching her own training academy for goalies in her home islands.
Katie said: “I have played football since I was five and I can’t ever remember not being in love with it.
“It’s my passion to make professional goalkeeping my career but living on Burra means I have to cross three bridges just to get to the mainland for games.”
Hoping to follow in the footsteps of her idol – Manchester United’s Mary Earps – Katie has been given the opportunity to travel for free to Dundee through Loganair’s Flying’s For All scheme, which champions equality for women.
Katie added: “Having a direct link makes everything so easy. I miss less school and I don’t have long travel times on trains or the ferry, which means I am not over-tired from travelling and I’m in the best possible condition before training.”
Mum Kay said: “Having this support is a massive help.”
Luke Lovegrove, Loganair’s chief commercial officer, said: “We have a fantastic connection with our island communities and the regions we connect them to.
“Katie is an inspirational young woman who is determined to encourage greater participation in sport for all, but particularly other young people who might not have the same opportunities to access professional football as those on the mainland. I look forward to watching her career grow.”