July 30, 2002

Additional England players receive soccer scholarships at the FA National Player Development Centre at Loughborough University

England National Team defensive player Casey Stoney, Under-19 National Team members Toni-Anne Wayne, Laura Bassett, Faye Dunn, Emily Westwood, Nicole Emmanuel, Catherine Beaver and Annie Barrett will join 13 students staying on from last year at the Centre. Several of those students were members of the Under-19s successful European Championship team in May, when England reached the last four.

Head of the Centre, Jane Ebbage coaches the players, and the goalkeepers benefit from the experience of the England senior team’s Goalkeeping Coach Mark Phillips. Players are based at the Centre from Monday to Friday, taking training sessions as well as education courses at Burleigh College or Loughborough University.

The players use a gym programme developed in consultation with FA Exercise Scientist Dawn Scott. The new students will work as a unit on conditioning and technique, then join in with the Year Two students on general coaching sessions.

Player biographies of new intake – September 2002

Nicole Emmanuel – Arsenal

16-year-old striker cum winger, football runs in the family for Nicole – her Mum is involved in Berkhamstead Ladies and her Dad with Watford and Harrow. In addition to playing Nicole is also a qualified referee for Bedfordshire County FA. The striker looks up to some strong female role models in the game including Marianne Spacey, Fara Williams and Kelly Smith. Nicole has also played hockey for England and also enjoys netball, basketball, tennis, rounders, badminton and athletics.

Casey Stoney – Charlton Athletic

She may only be young, but Casey already has plenty of winners’ medals to her name having played in a very successful Arsenal side since joining in 1999 but she has just joined Charlton Athletic to ensure regular first team football. Casey was a member of the talented England Under-18s squad alongside the likes of Katie Chapman and Rachel Unitt. She has made the step-up to regular England squad member and is gaining the experience that could help her to win a regular starting place.

Toni-Anne Wayne – Southampton Saints

Toni has been a member of the Arsenal academy but has been successfully accepted on to the FA football scholarship for September 2002. A regular between the goalposts with the Under-19s last season, Toni comes from a football-mad family who all enjoy playing the game. After a spell on loan at Barnet in 2001-02, the goalkeeper signed for Southampton Saints with a view to get regular first team football. She cites the England men and women’s goalkeepers David Seaman and Pauline Cope as her role models, as well as Kelly Smith.

Laura Bassett – Birmingham City

Laura will be studying for a degree in Sport & Exercise Science as well as receiving quality coaching. ‘Bertie’ caught the footballing bug by kicking a ball around on the touchline as her brother and her father played. In her spare time, she enjoys playing tennis, netball and basketball. The team captain at Birmingham City, Laura has scored one international goal – in the 4-3 away defeat against Denmark in November 2001.

Faye Dunn – Tranmere Rovers

Faye is a popular member of the England Under-19s squad and justified her place at the European Under-19 Championships in May by netting two goals. Faye is a student, studying for A-levels in PE, IT and Business and would like to go on to study sports science. A Liverpool fan, Faye cites her hero as Reds legend Kenny Dalglish.

Catherine Beaver – Huyton FC

Catherine took part in a recent England Under-17s friendly, where they drew 2-2 with the British Universities XI – girls who are at least two years older than that discipline. A goalkeeper, Catherine has been regularly trained at the Tranmere Rovers Centre of Excellence.

Annie Barrett – Barnet

Annie is an 18-year-old central defender and she plays with Barnet in the FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division. She has not made the England Under-19 squad yet, but she will participate in an Under-19s training camp next week.

Emily Westwood – Wolves

Emily first started playing football at primary school with her friends and now plays for Wolves Ladies in the FA Premier League Northern Division. Emily has recently completed her studies on a catering course, but would like to move into the field of sports and exercise in the future. She cites Paul Gascoigne and Rachel Unitt as her footballing idols.

Denise Thomas – Leeds United

Denise is 22 years old and has just signed on for National Division side Leeds United. Denise showed huge potential as a young player and went to the USA on a football scholarship, but came back home after suffering a serious injury. Now recovered from that set-back, Denise is hoping to reach her best yet again.

Students from September 2001 Retained for Year Two

Leanne Hall – Leeds United

Siobhan Chamberlain – Chelsea

Julie Spearink – Loughborough Students

Faye Cardin – Birmingham City

Leanne Severns – Sheffield Wednesday

Jess Wright – Southampton Saints

Alexa Hunn – Charlton Athletic

Kelly McDougall – Everton

Shelly Cox – Southampton Saints

Michelle Hickmott – Birmingham City

Katy Ward – Birmingham City

Amanda Barr – Charlton Athletic

Sarah Smith – Sheffield Wednesday