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27
Jan
Ripon footballer Lottie is selected for England squad
A Ripon Grammar School student will be pulling on the Three Lions shirt after being chosen to represent England at football.
It is the latest leap in Lottie Day’s footballing career after she signed a two-year contract with Sheffield United women’s team this season.
The 15-year-old, who lives between Ripon and Thirsk, previously played for York City and is now preparing to make her debut for her country against Denmark at the beginning of February.
She will be joining her England teammates at a five-day training camp at St George’s Park, the home of all 23 of England’s national football teams.
Lottie was in ‘total shock’ when she learned she had been selected. She was among hundreds of elite young footballers on the England Football Women’s Under-16 Talent Pathway competing for just 20 places on the national team.
She pointed out:
It has always been my dream to represent my country. It is very competitive, with girls from the talent pathway, north and south of the country, all vying for a place,
The teenager, an Arsenal fan, began playing football when she was seven and confesses she is now obsessed with the game and after leaving school, would love to become a professional footballer and play for the Gunners in the Women's Super League.
A centre midfielder, she was recently selected to train with the U21s at Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park – which involves a three hour round trip every Friday - and trains three times a week in addition to a match on Saturday.
Ripon Grammar director of sport Adam Milner said:
We are delighted for Lottie she is a dedicated athlete who has worked hard to get to where she is, and this is hopefully the start of a very exciting international career.
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