Bexhill College student wins USA football scholarship

Izzy, as she is known in college and to her friends, started the process of applying for a scholarship in early 2020 through Future Elite Sports following a scholarship presentation which the Football Academy organised for the players and has finally been rewarded with the good news that she will be attending Arizona Western College where she has received a 100% scholarship offer.

Izzy will combine studying to become a PE teacher whilst playing full time for the College’s football team in the NJCAA National Championship.

She said “I’m looking forward to flying out to Arizona in July and getting started with my new teammates and college, it is going to be a great experience. The standard of woman’s football in the USA is a lot higher than what I am used to playing but I cannot wait to start training and challenging myself every day. The thought of developing both as a player and a person whilst gaining an education is one that excites me and I am excited by what the future holds.”

Izzy is currently in her second year of studying Extended Diploma in Sport at the college where she has made great progress and becomes the second female football player in two years to be accepted for a football scholarship in the USA following in the footsteps of Lillie McSweeney who has unfortunately been delayed in departing the UK due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Football Academy Manager Sean Noble said: “The College as a whole is very proud of Izzy and her achievements in securing her scholarship in the United States. We feel privileged to have played a small part in supporting Izzy in her journey to Arizona and will follow her progress with great interest.

“We feel Izzy’s achievements can serve as great inspiration for other students in the college and especially those within the Football Academy here at Bexhill College which is associated with the Chelsea Football Club Foundation.

“Izzy is aware that the hard work starts now but we are confident that she will take the challenge in her stride and go on to achieve great things in the future both academically and within her footballing career. For us as a College creating a range of pathways for the students to progress into is of vital importance in motivating students, so seeing two of our Sport students in two years be successful in this area is especially pleasing.”

Izzy, who currently plays for Hastings United Ladies, added: “Both Bexhill College and the Football Academy have supported me through developing any weaknesses I have may have shown in training and developing these to become strengths whilst encouraging me to do my best in both my studies, footballing career and my scholarship application.”

To find out more about the Bexhill College Sports Academies and the opportunities they provide, please visit www.bexhillcollege.ac.uk.

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