A talented 17-year-old striker has been selected for the England Colleges for the second time to represent England in an international Tournament.
Rotherham United Women FC’s Alesha Gale, from Herringthorpe, will represent England for the second time.
The England Colleges teams allow England’s rising sporting stars to compete at an international level alongside their studies.
Miss Gale was delighted to have been selected out of the 300 other girls who also competed in the two-stage trials.
“You just get to get an insight into all the opportunities that there actually are for women’s football.”
– alesha gale
The Rotherham star has been playing football since she was eight-years-old, was scouted from school, and has been dedicated to the sport ever since.
The striker earned her first cap for England during the International England Colleges Football Association (ECFA) match against Italy last year.
She said: “I just can’t wait to play another international tournament.”
England’s squad were the underdogs despite winning all three of their matches leading up to the final against Italy who had always won the tournament.
It soon became clear that the young lionesses were a force to be reckoned with, beating Italy 3-0 and bringing home the trophy.
She has been with Rotherham United Women FC since last year, and has resigned with them for another season.
Adam Rawlings, Manager of Rotherham United Women FC, expressed the club’s support for their young lioness.
He said: “We are incredibly proud of Alesha as she receives an accolade which represents the credit she deserves for all her hard work to get here which she continues to display.”
Miss Gale is inspired by the legendary lioness Ella Toone, whose impressive footwork is something that Alesha’s tries to mirror.
Ella Toone, the Lioness midfielder, has earned over 50 caps for England since joining the squad in 2021.
“Watching her and learning from her skills and watching the games just makes me want to be the next lioness that comes up.”
– ALESHA GALE
This is only the beginning for the promising career of this young lioness, who is sure to make her home club proud wearing the England shirt in international matches next year.
Photo: Alex Roebuck
