After a shaky start to the season Coventry City Ladies end 2008 sitting atop the Midland Women's Combination League. The good news doesn't end there though for 3 members of the team, Helen Dermody, Jade Formaston & Emily Hanson have all been named in the England Colleges squad for their summer fixtures after successfully coming through the recent trials at Lilleshall.
Dermody was delighted by the news that she'd be returning for a second stint with the squad after being appointed Captain last season. "It was a great experience last year & a tremendous honour to lead the team out in front of a crowd. I'm really pleased to be have been picked again & I'm looking forward to another opportunity to represent my Country".
This time around Dermody will be joined by fellow Sutton Coldfield College student & Sky Blues team-mate Emily Hanson. The 17 year old midfielder, who recently made her first team debut, scoring the winning penalty in an FA Cup tie versus TNS & Shrewsbury Town, made it into the squad of 22 after attending a series of trials that whittled the field down from 250.
Hanson explained the selection process from it's beginning back in October "all the girls were recommended for the regional trials by their Coaches, from there we were placed into teams & went onto a day camp in Solihull where the National Team Coaching staff watched our matches & selected 33 players for the final stage at Lilleshall".
Despite being severely limited over the final selection weekend, due to a hip injury picked up in the 2-1 league win over Derby County, Jade Formaston was able to do enough to secure a place for a likely Home Nations Tournament this summer. The 17 year old Henley student, studying Sports Performance, has missed Coventry's last two games due to the injury but had been in great form up to that point, scoring 5 & leading the team with 5 assists.
England Colleges Head Coach, Rob Williams, paid tribute to the City trio "they're all technically very good & have a great attitude. It's easy to see that they've been well coached & come from a good team environment".
Club Manager Paul Cudby was also quick to offer praise for the girls "I'm absolutely delighted for them, they've all worked very hard this season & it's a great way to round off 2008 for them".
"It's again testament to the quality of coaching that's been in place at the club for many years & further highlights that we're the kind of club that encourages the younger players through our Centre of Excellence & into the senior set up. It's a great opportunity for the players to represent themselves on a terrific stage & I have every confidence that they'll do themselves, the Club & their Country proud".