England Women's U17s Easter Tournament 
Tuesday 3 April - England v Scotland (VV Donk FC), 7pm
Wednesday 4 April - Russia v England (Bodegraven FC), 7pm
Friday 6 April - TBC

A Blyth Town player is this week celebrating after she was selected to play for England.

Lucy Bronze is Blyth's first female international player and will link up with the U17 squad when they take part in an friendly tournament in Holland next week.

Bronze was invited to an England training camp in Derby where she was put through her paces in training and worked on all aspects of the game, including health and fitness.

She said: "It was an overwhelming experience but I got used to it by the end."

The 15-year-old from Alnwick flies to Holland on Saturday where she will face Scotland and Russia in the group stages of the tournament before hopefully progressing into the later stages.

"I will be excited to stand on the pitch and sing the National Anthem," she added. "I always dreamed of playing for England but never thought it would come at such a young age."

The young centre back plays in the Northern Girls Tyne Tees League for Blyth Town, and playing for the national side is something she will never forget.

Despite still being so young, she has her sites set on a career in football, whether it be through playing professionally or coaching, and is thinking about taking a coaching scholarship in the USA when she finishes school.

England U17 head coach Lois Fidler acknowledges that this is an exciting time for Lucy.

"This kind of experience is fantastic for Lucy," she said. "With the U17 World Cup in New Zealand next year we are preparing for that now and this is a great chance for people like Lucy to get national exposure on the playing
field.

"We look for players who are physically and technically able, who have good awareness and a good psychological strength."

Lucy has had the full support of her family as she embarks on her international career along with fellow team mates at the Blyth Town club.

She said: "Everyone has been congratulating me and saying how they knew it was going to happen. My gran is really proud as well and wants me to take lots of pictures."

Sandra Orr, chairman of Blyth Town WFC said: "I think it is fantastic.

"I always knew one of our girls would play for England. Lucy is the first of our girls to pull the England shirt on. This is the highest accolade to get and everyone involved in the club is very proud."

If you are interested in playing for Blyth Town WFC please contact Sandra on (01670) 362361.

Thanks to: www.blyth-wansbecktoday.co.uk

England Squad: Amy Carr (Chelsea), Lauren Davey (Watford), Gemma Bonner (Leeds United), Lucy Bronze (Blyth Town), Gilly Flaherty (Arsenal), Shelby Hills (Fulham), Jodie Jacobs (Chelsea), Chelsea Weston (Birmingham City), Isobel Christiansen (Everton), Rachel Daly (Leeds United), Michelle Hinnigan (Everton), Aimee Morrison (Leeds United), Melissa Sutcliffe (Leeds United), Helen Bleazard (Bristol City), Tonni Duggan (Everton), Stephanie Marsh (Everton), Sarah Wiltshire (Arsenal), Courtney Sweetman-Kirk (Leicester City)