A TRAINEE biology teacher from Evesham will represent England at next week’s UEFA women’s qualifiers for the first FIFA Futsal World Cup.
Jade Grove, 23 who works at Belong Learning in Gloucestershire, has been selected in the first-ever England Futsal Lionesses squad.
She and the rest of the 14-strong squad will play Finland, Slovenia and hosts Moldova between October 16 and 19 and need to win the group for a place in next year’s tournament.
It is the first time England have entered a female futsal team into a tournament recognised by the UEFA.
Former De Montfort School student Jade has not looked back since joining her older brother and cousins playing football at the age of four.
She said: “I just went along and started playing – I enjoyed it and seemed to be alright at it, so I carried on and haven’t missed a season since.”
Battling in the boys team
Jade was a member of the Evesham United football boys squad until she was 12. She played at the Villa Academy until she went to study for a degree in sports science at Hartpury University at 18. It was there she was introduced to futsal – an indoor five-a-side version of football.
Picture by England Futsal. s
She has played for Hartpury Futsal Club ever since then and, as well as studying for her PGCE, has also managed to find time to play football with Exeter City FC.
Jade got her international call-up for the women’s futsal squad nearly a year ago and this will be her first competition.
Training for her big appearance
She currently trains remotely with three gym and two running sessions during the week as well and meets up with the team at weekends. Out of competition the team meets monthly.
Jade said it was a wonderful feeling to be selected to pay for her country.
“It is amazing – it is something you just dream of when you are younger,” she explained. “It’s a nice feeling but there is quite a bit of pressure so you have to stay in the moment.”
She will be getting plenty of home support as her parents, younger brothers and friends are heading out to Moldova to cheer her on.
And the chances of getting through to next year’s inaugural World Cup in the Philippines?
“It’s definitely doable,” said Jade.
“We’ve been through a lot of analysis and finding ways that we could, so finger’s crossed – it would be a big achievement if we did.”
