Three players from Preston North End Women’s U14s have been referred by Preston North End Community and Education Trust to attend a North West Talent Hub event this weekend, which provides a pathway to playing for England’s junior national teams.
Emilia, Abi and Jess all play for Preston North End Women’s U14s, which forms part of the junior set-up of PNE Women FC, a club that has been supported by PNECET since the start of the 2019/20 season and now provides a pathway for junior players to move into representing Preston North End at open age level.
The ‘Discovering Talent’ event at Manchester Metropolitan University this weekend allows FA staff to identify talented players who have been referred through a Player Referral Process throughout the season.
Emilia, Abi and Jess have all been invited to the event this weekend as a result of the positive impression they have made representing PNE at junior level having been referred by their coach with PNEWFC, Sagwati Malabi, also PNECET Schools Provision Officer.
Emilia said: “It’s a massive honour and it just feels really, really good. I can’t explain it but I’m excited to see how things go.
“PNE have made me a stronger player and helped me through everything through the past two seasons.
“I’m buzzing, a bit nervous, but that’s just how it is. I just want to see how it goes and hopefully I’ll do well.”
Abi added: “It’s exciting because I get to show everyone my ability and what I’m capable. It’s just giving me new opportunities.
“It makes me believe in myself more because the coaches and other people believe in me to pick me to go for the pathway.
“It’s helped me as the coaches encourage me a lot and if I make a mistake they’ll stop and talk me through it. They taught me a lot to believe in myself and to just show what I’m capable of.”
Jess continued: “It’s very exciting and I’m very grateful to have this opportunity because not many people could have had it. It’s really exciting.
“They’ve [PNEWFC] just given me a lot of opportunities which has made me to want push myself to levels where I can become a better player.
“The coaches and tactics they use have helped me to push myself in games and helped me to learn new skills. It’s helped me progress as a player.”
Sagwati Malabi was also pleased by the girls’ selection to showcase their abilities.
He said: “I’m really pleased for Emilia, Abi and Jess to have been selected to attend the Discovering Talent event and have the opportunity to showcase their talent.
“This is a great reward for all three girls for their hard work in developing their skills, which have been evident for many years with the U14’s junior team.
“Above all, I hope they enjoy having the opportunity to attend the Discovering Talent event and can use the experience to further develop their passion for football.”
We are also wishing Sophie, who plays in the same U14s team with Abi, Emilia and Jess, the best of luck at this weekend’s Discovering Talent event having also been independently referred by another provider.
Good luck to Abi, Emilia, Jess and Sophie!
For more information about the Trust’s work on the Discovering Talent programme, please email sagwati.malabi@pne.com.