Grace Craven | New City College

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.”