Leicester Mercury

Two U15 players earn places in English Schools FA squad

KEEPER AND STRIKER WENT THROUGH SERIES OF STRENUOUS TRIALS

- Leicesterm­ercury.co.uk/sport

TWO young Leicesters­hire footballer­s have earned places in an English Schools FA squad after working their way striker nominated by named the spell Goalkeeper They their final through with in can trial Mikayla county the the for look a at ESFA series 18-strong the Stafford Sophia side forward Wildgoose selection U15 of and strenuous Town. squad group Poor were to process a were busy both after with and trials. training a Docherty series The season of starting Cup, friendly culminates when in matches. January England in ahead the line Bob up of alongside Ireland in April. and Scotland, the Republic Wales, of Northern Ireland

Leicester Wildgoose, City Women’s like Poor, U15 plays side. for

She featured in the ESFA squad last season and continues to make encouragin­g progress on the field.

Poor is just 13 but already has her sights set on becoming a profession­al player.

She has had outstandin­g support at Thomas Estley College from her PE teacher, Sarah Kavanagh, and, prior to that, from Nigel Williams at Badgerbroo­k Primary School. “Sophia loves everything about football and has been playing since primary school,” said her mum, Joanne.

“She’s been very lucky having amazing PE teachers Sarah Kavanagh and Nigel Williams and so many brilliant football coaches.”

Phil Harding, ESFA chairman was full of praise for the footballer­s who have made the squad.

He said: “It’s a fantastic achievemen­t for these players to have made it through what is a tough trials process, to be able to go on and represent their school, their county and their country for this year’s internatio­nal season.”

 ??  ?? CALL-UPS: Sophia Poor, left, and Mikayla Wildgoose
CALL-UPS: Sophia Poor, left, and Mikayla Wildgoose
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom