Eden Bailey

Sports Award

Age:

24

Biography

Eden is 15 years old and a very talented young women's footballer determined to play sport at the highest level. Already she is making remarkable progress as a member of the Aston Villa Girls Centre of Excellence (under 17's).

JHMT's Support

Eden is working really hard to develop her skills to play football at an elite level for a club of this standard. This requires making regular trips to training from her home in Leicester (2/3 times per week) and to matches every week. This wouldn't be possible without the wonderful support from her family as Eden is totally focused on achieving her ambitions in football.

Eden said: 'Support from a Inspire grant will enable me to continue to train at a very high standard and also ensure I have the best possible training equipment (hard/soft ground boots, astro turf/sprinting trainers, shin pads, sports bra's and under warmers) to be the best I can be. It would also help me continue to access a very high level of coaching, competing against teams that are also of an elite standard. This experience is vital if I'm to progress to a top level women's team when I am old enough and really make my dream a career.'

The success England Women's Football team at this year's FIFA Women's World Cup Finals held in Canada will no doubt inspire a new generation of young women footballers across the country to follow their dream and one day wear the England jersey with pride. Eden is aware of her responsibility as a role model to encourage her peers to take part in women/girls football at any level. Eden added: ' I try really hard to work as hard as I can and to be a good role model to others wanting to take up the sport I love.'