@ £ £ £ i P 3

National women’s football squad call up for Loughborough College trio

Posted: 15th January 2019 - 8:10am
National women’s football squad call up for Loughborough College trio

No fewer than three players from Loughborough College have been selected to join the women’s England Colleges squad - with the chance to tour internationally with the side.

College Academy Sport players Ria Acton, Natasha Hudson and Serena Clarke successfully completed a rigorous trial process at the end of 2018 before joining their first training camp at the Football Association’s national centre at St George’s Park in Burton upon Trent.

Natasha, who is an A-level student at Loughborough College, also plays for Leicester City’s first team and Serena and Ria, who are on the College’s BTEC Sport programme, play respectively for Leicester City reserves and Loughborough Foxes. The trio hopes to join England Colleges women for their Italy tour at Easter.

Rob Styles, who heads the College’s women’s Academy Football programme, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for the three players and a great opportunity for them to represent their country.

“Natasha, Serena and Ria are wonderful people and outstanding athletes and their call up is very much deserved.

“It also shows the high level of progression and access available to players moving through our Academy programmes.”

Head of Football at Loughborough College, Jay Groocock, added: “All three players have consistently produced brilliant performances for the Academy programme and their selection is testament to their continued commitment.

“Natasha, Ria and Serena were also part of the team which recently won the regional Association of Colleges Sport championships for the second year in a row and the squad will now represent the East Midlands at the national championships later this year.

“The England selections and AoC Sport wins demonstrate the quality of women’s football being produced in this 16-19 age range at Loughborough College. Rob Styles really is taking the programme from strength to strength.”

Pictured: (from left) Loughborough College students Ria Acton, Serena Clarke and Natasha Hudson who have been selected for the England Colleges women’s football squad