U15 Girls Midlands Trials Recap
Thursday 22 October 2015By ESFA Office
Last Updated:
10/02/2021 11:49:44
On Sunday the 11th of October in excess of 40 girls turned up at Stafford Town FC hoping to impress the Midlands regional selectors and gain selection to the Midlands squad for their forthcoming match against the North in November. This part of the process is the first stage in the tried and trusted selection procedures for the ESFA England Under 15 Girls team. Organised by regional co-ordinator Neil Hopwood, ably assisted by Lorna Blakeman and hosted by the welcoming staff of Stafford Town FC, the girls turned up on a beautiful morning to showcase their skills to proud parents and the critical eye of Assistant England team manager Amy Westmarland.
The girls were from county associations throughout the Midlands and the quality of the players did not disappoint. The standard of girls’ football has improved dramatically in the past four years and the majority of players on display on Sunday would have gained selection to the regional side in the past. Pace, technical ability, excellent goalkeeping and clinical finishing were just a few of the attributes displayed by girls who were obviously enjoying the freedom offered to them in being encouraged to go out and show what they could do. The selectors were left with a number of problems as the margins in ability between the girls was so fine.
The successful girls will now move forward to represent the Midlands against the North on Sunday 15th of November and girls selected from that trial game will play against the girls from the South, again at Stafford Town FC in mid December. That final trial will result in the England School's squad being selected for the forthcoming International programme.
ThreefiveThree Photography kindly attended these preliminary trials and the full range of photos from the day are available to view and purchase here.
Well done to all the girls that were nominated to participate in all the regional girls’ trials that have taken place so far for this season. We are looking forward to seeing the high standards of playing continue through the selection process and beyond.
