Footballer trio score A-level success
The tournament might be over but World Cup fever continues for three young footballers celebrating their A-level results.
Ellis and Charlotte, both students at The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL), have secured places at Chowan University in North Carolina and Loughborough University respectively. Meanwhile Nico, also a student at GSAL, is heading to Los Angeles to play for LAFC So Cal: a team affiliated with LAFC’s professional Major League Soccer team.
Ellis, who lives in Leeds, competed in the Women’s FA Cup with Leeds Modernians Women’s FC and helped her team win the league and the cup double. She has already flown over to the US to begin her course. “My goal is to get a good degree to lay a foundation for the future and to continue my football journey. I would love to make football my career,” said Ellis.
Meanwhile Charlotte, also from Leeds and a fullback at Leeds Modernians Women’s FC, has aspirations to coach professionally. She currently coaches two youth teams at Leeds United Girls Performance Centre of Excellence and was awarded Young Leader of the Year from the Supporting Our City awards for her contribution to female football. “Coaching is such a blast,” said Charlotte. “I love helping players progress and being a role model for them.”
Nico, who lives in Harrogate, has played for GSAL’s boys’ football team as well as Guiseley FC. After an exciting World Cup summer, he is looking forward to heading to Los Angeles. “I love watching international football as it really brings people and cultures together,” said Nico. “I was supporting Mexico as well as England throughout the tournament. Now I’m looking forward to playing football in a different setting and picking up a different style. I’ll certainly have to adapt to the heat!”
Michael Hall, Principal at GSAL said: “Ellis, Charlotte and Nico are fantastic ambassadors for sport and have inspired so many young people at GSAL. All three students have played an integral part in our football programme and have represented the school brilliantly. We are thrilled to see them achieve their goals and we’re cheering them on for the next stage of their journey.”
This year, 58% of A-levels at GSAL were awarded top A/A* grades. Fifteen pupils achieved at least three A*s, while seven students scored A*s in at least three subjects plus an A* in their Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). This year’s talented cohort includes twins heading to the same prestigious university to study the same course and one of the top young mathematicians in the country.
Image: World Cup fever continues as Charlotte and Nico celebrate their A-level results.