International call up for Queens' student (From Watford Observer)

Queens' School student called up to England School's Under-15 Girls' squad

11:40am Friday 10th February 2012 in Local Sport

A Queens’ School student is celebrating after receiving her first call-up to the England Schools’ Under-15 Girls’ squad.

Molly Wheeler, captain of the Bushey school’s Under-15s side, has been selected to attend a two-day training camp next week prior to competing in an international tournament in April.

Joining Wheeler will be Amber Tullett, who attends Parmiter’s School and last season played for Watford Under-14s, as part of a five-strong Hertfordshire contingent in the squad of 18.

The national side are managed by Queens’ School’s Head of Girl’s Football, Sarah Steadman, with Parmiter’s Miranda Hall taking the role of assistant manager.

Trials for the squad were held in the north and south before those successful were brought together for national selection.

A squad was chosen from this group and Steadman was beaming with pride over Wheeler’s showing in front of a team of ten scouts.

“All ten scouts picked Molly out,” explained the manager.

“I know how she can play. I have seen her play for the last three years so when everybody saw how she can play as well, I was quite proud.”

The squad will now meet up in Telford next week for a two-day training camp.

Steadman added that the girls will be given information on hydration and diet as well as a fitness programme to ensure they will be ready for action in April.

The Easter holidays will see the girls travel to Dublin to take part in the Bob Docherty Cup as they test their skills against international opposition.

England will face Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Netherlands and hosts Republic of Ireland in their bid for glory.

Following the tournament, Steadman’s squad will be in action again later in the month as they take on Scotland for the Lloyds TSB Cup.

The Three Lions beat their counterparts from north of the border 3-1 last year and will be hoping for a repeat success this time around.

Elsewhere, Queens’ School’s Under-13 side battled bravely this week but were knocked out of the npower Football League Cup at the regional final stage.

Following a coaching session with England international Kelly Smith, the girls took on representative schools from Cardiff, Gillingham and Aldershot in the competition but despite enjoying victories over all of their opponents during the day, they ultimately finished third.

Smith was there to cheer the girls on but it was the Aldershot side who progressed to the Wembley final.