The North Riding County FA are delighted to announce the National Call up of 2 of their Centre of Excellence Female Players, the 2 girls registered with the North Yorkshire Centre of Excellence have been selected for England U15 Squad for the latest England Camp.

Jemma Purfield & Ellie Wilkinson have both been named in an 18 player squad for England’s U15. The North Yorkshire pair will team up with other Centre of Excellence players from Arsenal, Birmingham, Manchester United, Chelsea, Everton, Aston Villa, Blackburn & Sheffield United.

The pair’s recognition is a notable achievement for the York College based Centre, former Professional Footballer Gordon Staniforth is the centres Technical Director: “It’s probably the highlight of my career, to play a part in these two young girls selection for the England U15 squad. They are both very talented young players who have an eye for goal and want to learn. They want to be challenged & the step up from North Yorkshire to England will give them a great challenge. “

Both girls travel from the East Riding twice a week to train at the North Yorkshire Centre, where they play matches on a Saturday, the girls both agree their experience at the York college based centre has played an integral part in their England Call up.

Jemma Purfield, who was also selected for the England U15 in October, played her part in the 3-2 win, scoring the second goal and assisting with the first. “It was amazing to play & score for England & the standard was really high. I chipped the keeper from the edge of the area 7 it bounced in off the bar. The support from the North Yorkshire Centre has been the best & the coaching is great. It has made me a better player & everyone there has helped me get into the England squad. I am so happy Ellie now has this chance too.”

Strike partner Ellie Wilkinson added: “I have been playing with some good players at the Centre & the fitness work we do in training has really helped me to develop. It would be great to play alongside Jemma for England, I started playing when I was 6 & hoped one day I might play for England but I didn’t really know if I could.”

Former North Riding County Football Coach, Gary Hindle, is the North Yorkshire U15 Coach: “It is a fantastic achievement for both these young girls, they have worked tirelessly to develop their all round game. These young players travel to the centre three times a week, their commitment & dedication to their sport is outstanding.  They are a credit & a pleasure to work with, their application & enthusiasm cascades throughout our U15 squad.”

Assistant Coach, Abby Parkin: “This is fabulous news for the two girls, with all the U15s they work so hard to improve. I moved over to the North Yorkshire Centre from the Bradford Centre of Excellence at the beginning of the season and it has given me an ideal opportunity to continue to work with talented young female players, it is a wonderful environment for them to train & develop in.”