Juniors Do Us Proud

As you probably know, as well as a successful 1st team, Felixstowe & Walton United also run a Reserve side, an Under 18s team and 22 junior sides of boys and girls from under 6s to under 16s. This is something everyone at the club, including coaches, parents and volunteers, is very proud of.

We all see reports in the local press about the 1st team and most of the website concentrates on the senior sides. But let’s not forget the juniors. And in case you’re not sure that the young stars at our club are newsworthy in themselves, then think again. Here is just some of the news coming from the junior ranks in recent days.

Under 13s player Erika Lempek played for The Suffolk Girls Development squad under 14s in an away fixture against North Suffolk Academy, coming away with a 6-2 victory in which she scored 4 goals herself and was player of the match. Well done Erika! 

Three of our under 14s Nartey Tey-Botchway, Sebastian Goodhand and Jacob O'Callaghan represented Suffolk FA schools for their 1st ever game away against Norfolk on Wednesday. Unfortunately, they did lose but they did the club proud with both their performance and the character they showed. It’s worth remembering that it really isn’t simply about winning. Teamwork helps build skills such as character and resilience. Well done Nartey, Sebastian and Jacob.

Eloise Ward, who is at Suffolk Advanced Coaching Centre (part of the FA Pathway) and who also plays for our U15 Saturday SYL team has been selected again this year for Suffolk Schools under 16s and the ISFA (independent Schools Football Association) National squad for the 18/19 season.

Eloise, who is a St.Josheph’s College Sports Scholar has just completed the first two-day training camp in Cambridge which included her debut against Cambridge City U16's, which they won 6 v 0. Eloise played the full 80 minutes starting at Centre Back and finishing the final 30 mins as the Central defensive Midfielder. Next stop for Eloise is St Georges Park in December where she will be available for international games against Scotland and Wales.

Finally, Rose Wright, Evie Lake and Tildy Bennett, all played their 1st game of the season for Suffolk Girls Development Centre under 12s away to Copplestonians mixed boys and girls with all 3 doing the club proud again with good performances and great character. Well done girls!