Two talented sports students from Solihull College have won scholarships to study in America, after impressing the coaches of top colleges with their football skills.
Jade Nash and Georgia Jones, who first met whilst playing for the under 10s at Solihull Borough FC, are currently in their final year of the BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport (Coaching, Development & Fitness) at the College’s Blossomfield Campus.
After taking part in football trials and sending off video footage of their performances to various coaches, the girls were offered places at different sports colleges, specially tailored for students with scholarships.
17-year-old Jade from Solihull, who currently plays centre-back for Leafield Athletic Ladies FC, will be studying Sports Medicine at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. She comments: “I always knew I wanted a sports-related career and I’m really excited about moving to America, where I can develop my football skills further whilst studying for my degree.”
Georgia, who is also 17 and from Solihull, plays centre-midfield for Coventry City Ladies FC and has won a scholarship to study Physiotherapy at Converse College in South Carolina. She comments: “This is a dream come true and I can’t wait! I love playing football and I’m really pleased to have got a scholarship to America where I’ll be able to train every day.”
John Constable, Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Converse College, comments: “We are thrilled to have Georgia with us on the programme. She is comfortable in possession, can tackle, has good playing experience and can shoot from distance. On top of all that, she is a fine young woman and an all-round solid student athlete that we are delighted to have joining us at Converse College.”
Prior to studying at Solihull College, Jade and Georgia were pupils at Lode Heath School and often spent their weekends together cheering on Birmingham City at St Andrew’s.
Jane James, Programme Manager for Sport at Solihull College, comments: “This is the first time female sports students from Solihull College have secured football scholarships in America and we are extremely proud of their achievements.”
The BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport (Coaching, Development & Fitness) allows students to learn about the physiology of fitness, sports coaching, sports nutrition, sports injuries, sports analysis, and anatomy for sport and fitness. It is the ideal course for students who are interested in careers in coaching, sports development and teaching sport.
Emma Harcourt, Personal Tutor for Jade and Georgia, adds: “We are absolutely delighted for Jade and Georgia and wish them every success for their studies in America. They are extremely talented young ladies and have very bright futures ahead of them.”
