My Football Life: Beth Beale

Year 10 student Beth Beale, 14, tells the personal story behind her football. After six years at the Somerset Centre of Excellence she transferred to King’s College Taunton, where daily sport and a heavier timetable were exhausting at first but transformed her confidence, and where football is built on enjoyment and involvement rather than results. When the FA restructured Somerset’s centre and training and matches were cut, Beale lost heart and considered quitting altogether, until head of football Chris Heayns told her she could close the door on football but should not lock it and throw away the key. The Independent Schools FA offered an alternative route: she has since attended the U16 National Camp and been selected for the ISFA National U16 squad, and is eyeing her FA Level 1 badge and a university scholarship.