Date: 29th September 2016 at 11:54am
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England’s Young Lionesses are nervous but excited – they are currently in Jordan, ready for the start of their Under-17 Women’s World Cup campaign this weekend.

Eighteen of the 21-strong squad featured at the Euro finals in May, hosted in Belarus, where their third-place finish sealed their spot at the World Cup.

So far so good, but even more impressive when you consider that this is the first U17 squad from England to qualify for the tournament. The 2008 edition had an England team in the semi-finals – but they were invited to compete.

And if you throw into the mix the fact that many of the England players who went to Belarus were also sitting school exams during the three weeks they were away for the tournament, you can’t help but be wowed.

Grace Smith had two AS levels in geography and maths to sit when she was in Belarus for the Euros – and like her team-mates in the same situation, she took the exams in the British embassy under the watchful eye of invigilators.

The midfielder continues to combine her schooling with her football career – she trains three times a week with her club, Aston Villa Ladies, and now has her international duties too.

“It’s been a busy time, but I’m happy to do it – it’s well worth it,” she said.

“[Taking the exams] was definitely an experience. Most of us had at least one exam out there – it was just something we had to get on with, really.

“We had education sessions every day apart from game day – you just have to manage your time, and we’re all pretty good at that by now!”

Head coach  is proud of his young charges’ achievements so far.

“That’s testament to the work that’s gone on previously, in the centres of excellence, in the 15s age group, it’s a whole systematic overhaul that we’ve had in the last few years, trying to work towards a more club-based model,” he added.

“It’s beginning to bear fruit.”

Of course, with a junior team, there’s a balance to strike between putting together a squad for winning the next tournament, preparing them to make the step up to the next age group, and ensuring there is a talent pathway feeding through to the seniors.

“Long-term we have to look at who’s going to be the players of the future,” said Griffiths.

“We haven’t got a crystal ball so we don’t know that. What we do is look at where they’re at, what they need and how we best support them whilst having one eye on tournaments.”

He points to the careers of Lucy Bronze, Toni Duggan and Gemma Bonner – all players who did well with the England youth squads and have become integral to the senior set-up.

“The more caps they accumulate in their youth age group, the better it stands them in good stead when they get older,” he explained.

One problem in Belarus was the sudden onslaught of media coverage taking the squad by surprise – they were not used to having their matches broadcast live. This time, however, they are ready for that interest.

“The fact that it has media profile is fantastic for the women’s game,” enthused Griffiths.

“Just to keep inspiring a generation off the back of what happened in Canada last year [when England seniors finished third in the Women’s World Cup] – and keeping inspiring the next generation of players who are coming through the system.”

*Carrie Dunn is SHOOT’s Women’s Football correspondent. Her book ‘The Roar of the Lionesses: Women’s Football in England’ is out now – available in all good bookshops.*

 
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