Deanna hits her target of a USA scholarhsip
IT is exciting time for Deanna Christie, an 18-year-old who loves to score goals, who has secured a football scholarship to the USA.
Formerly of Maghull High School and now studying at the Jamie Carragher Sport and Learning Academy, the teenager has been focused from an early age on a career in football.
Before crossing the Atlantic the youngster has had to overcome some major disappointments. This included, at the age of 12, being let go by the Liverpool Ladies Centre of Excellence. However, she refused to give up and continued to play successfully at grass roots level and work hard, a determination that eventually resulted in a place at Itawamba Community College in North East Mississippi.
It was the ambitious youngster herself who researched the opportunity to play in America. She also had to persuade her parents and study hard, through Dyslexia, to achieve good GCSE grades. Deanna even scored so well on the USA SATs tests, that she actually received seven scholarship offers from different colleges.
Her mum Lynne said: “Deanna has always loved football. A ball was at her feet as soon as she could walk and she began playing competitively when eightyears-old.
“She played for Aintree Davenhill Primary School and had two years at Liverpool Ladies Centre of Excellence. Her skill on the ball was never in question. But as a smaller player she wasn’t considered a big enough presence on the pitch.
“During her early teens she played for Brazil Girls in the Liverpool County FA Girls League, and for the last two seasons in the North West Women’s Regional League, for Mersey Girls and Woolton Ladies.
“Deanna loves to score goals, but has played in many positions during her competitive career, even in goal. She is a real team player, who sees the killer pass and loves to show her skill on the ball, outwitting defenders with her quick feet.”
To facilitate her American dream, the teenager signed up with Sports Recruiting USA, a company that helps to promote athletes in the States. They organise football matches, which they record, and then put together a highlights video that is posted on YouTube and provides initial contact between athletes and coaches.
The Liverpool FC fan (although the family are both red and blue) will be live on campus in Fulton, Mississippi and play football in the NJCAA League. She will be sharing accommodation with her team-mates, which are a mix of American and international students.