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Young goalkeeper Izzy Wagstaffe is aiming to raise £20,000 towards the cost of a two-year residential at college to play for Arsenal




Young goalkeeper Izzy Wagstaffe has moved a step closer to realising her dream of becoming a professional footballer.

Wagstaffe, 15, has been offered a college place down south combining studies with a training programme run by Arsenal.

Goalkeeper Izzy Wagstaffe with ex-Forest keeper Hans Segers in Holland.
Goalkeeper Izzy Wagstaffe with ex-Forest keeper Hans Segers in Holland.

It’s a huge opportunity for the Newark schoolgirl, whose family are attempting to raise £20,000 to cover the costs of a two-year residential at Oaklands College in St Albans, Hertfordshire, which starts in September.

“She’s had it in her head for a couple of years that this is what she wants to do,” said mum Nikki Harding.

“She’s had to wait for trials to come around and she was fortunate enough to go down and get an offer.

“It’s a fully professional playing programme that’s been aligned to college.

“They train three afternoons a week with Arsenal and play in the college league on a Wednesday, and then do all the academic studies in the morning.

“She’d love to be a professional footballer.

“She’s worked incredibly hard to get where she has.

“She was the smallest goalkeeper when she started but she’s shot up and and worked on her strength.

“She’s been so dedicated over the last few years, she trains four nights a week, plays games in the Junior Premier League on a Saturday, and she’s played against teams like Man City, Wolves, Arsenal and Man United.

Goalkeeper Izzy Wagstaffe, 15, in action.
Goalkeeper Izzy Wagstaffe, 15, in action.

“It’s that where-does-it-take-you opportunity at Oaklands.

“She’s never going to know if she’s going to make it unless she goes, and to be coached by some of the best coaches in the country will give her that opportunity.

“She’s got a back-up career option, where she wants to be a sports therapist, but her main aim is to try and go pro and perhaps go to America on a scholarship and do university out there and play football.”

Wagstaffe, who’s also part of the FA Future Lionesses Goalkeeping Centre in Sheffield, started playing football at Newark Town under the late Mark Nesbitt and Steve Tur.

She’s also trained with Nottingham Forest and Lincoln and currently plays for Doncaster Rovers Belles.

The teenager, a pupil at The Suthers School, has already worked with Arsenal coaches for the past couple of years and last year went to Holland where she trained with ex-Forest and Wimbledon keeper Hans Segers, who’s now coaching at Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven.

Another highlight saw her meet England goalkeeper and Notts girl Mary Earps at St George’s Park, thanks to her place on the Lionesses pathway.

Earps, who won the Women’s Euros with England and is widely recognised as one of the best keepers in the world, passed on some sound advice.

“Izzy was really lucky to meet Mary Earps,” said Nikki.

Goalkeeper Izzy Wagstaffe wants to become a professional footballer.
Goalkeeper Izzy Wagstaffe wants to become a professional footballer.

“As part of the Future Lionesses programme, there’s several goalkeeping centres across the country and they took all the goalkeepers down.

“They got to watch training with the Lionesses and they had a Q&A session with all of the goalkeepers.

“She also got a shirt signed by Sarina (Wiegman, manager) and all the goalkeepers.

“Izzy’s favourite quote is one of Mary’s that day - ‘winners don’t quit and quitters don’t win’.”

To donate to the Izzy’s fundraiser, visit here



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