International footballer shares her experience with region's top players

England and Everton footballer Jill Scott visited Teesside recently to inspire the next generation of female footballers.

Jill returned to her native North East to attend a training session at Teesside University’s FA Girls’ Centre of Excellence (COE). The Everton and England midfielder was invited to talk to the players and their parents about her journey through grass roots football to the national team.

During the discussion at Eston Sports Academy, Jill described the ups and downs of her career, the role her parents played in her success and she also gave advice and encouragement to the young COE players. Jill also answered a selection of questions from players and parents before braving the torrential rain to spend some time on the training pitch with the Centre’s Under 9’s and 11’s age groups.

The Girls’ Centre of Excellence is a programme for the region’s best female footballers who have access to state of the art facilities, coaching expertise and sport science fitness support from Teesside University.

Paul Kreczak, Centre Manager, said: 'It is inspirational for our players to see somebody local who has been through the Centre of Excellence programme and is now playing at the highest level. Jill was very engaging and gave the players and parents some fantastic advice.'

Teesside is the only university in the country chosen to host an FA Girls’ Centre of Excellence and is already producing footballers of international standard.

Technical Director Gemma Grainger added: 'Jill spoke about her success being predominantly down to how hard she works at her game which was great for our girls to hear. Jill was also impressed by the level of sport science support the players receive from Teesside University and suggested that this will be hugely beneficial to the players’ development.'

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