Following on from the call up to the England Under 15’s Training Camp of Derby County Goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley at the end of the 2009/10 season, The Derby County Centre of Excellence have received news that another Under 14 player has been invited to join up with the squad in August.
Portia Badach earned her just rewards following some sensational performances during a tremendous 2009/10 season with the Derby County Centre of Excellence with a phone call from the FA last week inviting her to be part of the squad.
It was only 2 seasons ago that ‘P’ was playing grassroots football with local Derby team Woodlands FC, demonstrating exactly what can be done through sheer hard work, determination, a fantastic attitude and the pathways put in place by the FA via their Centre of Excellence program. To find out more about Portia, visit http://www.shekicks.net/flog/blogs/post/99 where she was recently interviewed by the SheKicks.net team who report on all levels of girls & women’s football.
Pete Johnson, Centre Director said: “This is further justification of the way the Centre is being run and testament to Portia as her desire to succeed & phenomenal work rate is consistently high. She is an exceptional role model both on and off the field, with players within the centre looking up to her and hoping that this could be them one day, too.”
“Everyone involved at the Centre and the Derbyshire FA would like to extend their congratulations to Portia and wish her the best of luck for the weeks’ camp.”
To aim for an England cap, girls must play in a Centre of Excellence, Derby County’s being one of 52 around the country.
The Derby County Centre of Excellence for Girls are currently preparing for the forthcoming season in which they will play teams such as Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest, Shrewsbury, Leicester & Coventry.
For more details on opportunities for female players, contact Pete Johnson, Centre Director for the Derby County Centre of Excellence for Girls on 07954 578084 or email: peter.johnson313@ntlworld.com or Angie Harper, Girls & Womens Development Officer for the Derbyshire FA 07507 777541 or angela.harper@derbyshirefa.com