Footballer Grace Craven who is studying Sport and is part of the Tottenham Hotspur Football Development Programme has been selected for the NFYL All Stars Southern Region squad after a successful trial.
Grace is set to play at the FA’s St George’s Park – home training ground of England’s national football teams – against the NFYL Northern squad, which is a great achievement and an amazing opportunity for her to showcase her talent to the national scouting network.
Grace says she is excited with what the future holds for her – with the ultimate dream to be part of England’s Lionesses!
She says: “My experience at the NFYL All Stars trial was thrilling as it was a great opportunity to meet new girls and coaches, as well as learning and growing within the sport I love.
“I was initially quite nervous, but I soon got over this because the atmosphere in the changing room was great – all the girls were welcoming and we all got talking. As a whole, it was a great experience and I’m very grateful for the opportunity.
“I’m still feeling somewhat in shock as I didn’t expect to get into the squad. However, now that I am in, I do feel a sense of relief and I am really looking forward to the next step in this journey.
“What I’m hoping to get out of the All Stars is learning new skills – technically, socially, psychologically and physically – also experiencing new opportunities and meeting new people.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to do what I love in a new environment and to grow and develop as a player.
“I started playing football with the boys at 4 years old which continued until I was 10. I then joined my first girls’ team, and stayed with them for 3 years. After that I played at Watford for a season and then went to Charlton Athletic, who I still play for today in the U21s squad. I then joined the New City College Spurs team alongside Charlton in order to continue to improve as a player.
“At NCC I study the Level 3 Sports and Coaching BTEC alongside the Spurs programme at the Epping Forest campus, and I am really enjoying both.”