ENGLAND SCHOOL'S FOOTBALL SELECTION FOR EMILY
The English Schools’ FA announced this week 18 players chosen to represent the England U15 Schoolgirls’ for the 2022-23 season.
Their search for the best schools’ footballers has seen pupil Emily Walne become Repton’s first ever selection for ESFA. After a rigorous selection process, and despite being just 14 years-old, Emily will represent her country in the U15 squad.
Players were first nominated by their county sides to attend regional trials, where regional squads were eventually whittled down to form North and South squads for the final stage of the process. This is a huge achievement and recognition of Emily’s talent at time when she has also progressed to Leicester City’s U16 squad, regularly playing two years up in academy football.
Molly Holder, Repton’s Girls’ Football Coach, has praised Emily’s commitment and congratulated her on her selection saying: “Emily is a pleasure to work with; her attitude towards wanting to improve is magnificent coupled with an undoubtable talent.
To be selected a year young for ESFA and to be playing regularly with the U16s at Leicester shows how much potential she has and I'm really looking forward to continuing to work with her and supporting her progression with her football both in school and outside of it.”
Emily has also been an outstanding member of Repton’s boys’ U14A side this year and their coach, Ben Page, has praised her for setting high standards in both training and matches: “Emily is an excellent ambassador for Repton and her ability to manage her sporting commitments both in and out of school is impressive.
It is testament to how highly we think of her that her selection for the U15s ESFA squad is no surprise; she is just that good and deserving. We are extremely proud of all she has achieved and excited to see how she develops further in the coming seasons.”
Stuart Botham, ESFA Chair commented: “We are delighted to be able to name this year’s England U15 Schoolgirls’ Squad today. 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, District, County and their Country for this year’s International season. On behalf of the English Schools’ FA, I would like to congratulate each and every selected girl on their achievement and also pass on my thanks to their parents and guardians for the commitment and support they have also shown.”
