BECCI HOPING FOR OPPORTUNITY STATESIDE

HYDE UNITED FC ACADEMY & TAMESIDE UNITED LADIES FC

We are committed to delivering equal opportunities for all of our full time scholars, and take player development very seriously.

Our pathway gives all players equal focus academically and practically, and we support them in their progression choice on completion of their two year at the Academy. We run a full time degree program, delivered at Hyde and The University of Derby, but we also support and encourage all of our scholars to pursue their dreams, wherever this takes them.

Rebecca Lilley (18) : Year 13

I started playing football at the age of 9 when I played for uppermill girls. This was my first proper club which I played for up to the under 16’s which is when I moved to Tameside Ladies competing in my first open age women’s football league.

I have always taken my football seriously, however it became serious to me personally when I first found out about the RSC Academy and the opportunities I could take such as my BTEC course and also going out to America for further education. As I wasn’t a strong academic student in high school, football was the one thing I was strong at and this is what made me want to take it more seriously making it my main priority for my future.

The opportunity the RSC Academy has given me has been massive and a challenge that has improved me as a player and a person. It allows me to train full time with experienced coaches, which has allowed me to improve my technique, fitness and game understanding making me the best I can be as a player. The academy has also made it possible to play in a competitive open age league, which gives me the experience I need to take out to the states.

The level from under 16’s up to open age is a drastic difference which at first was a challenge, as the intensity and physicality was a massive increase to what I was used to. I adapted quickly and almost instantly saw an increase in my strength physically. I also noticed a massive improvement in my behaviour, supporting my team mates throughout games and training.

My aims after college is to go out to America as a scholar to study for my further education in sport (rehabilitation and analysis) and as well as studying, training as a student athlete which can hopefully give me the experience and development to take my footballing career to play professionally which is my overall aim as a player. Following recent trials I have been offered a full scholarship in the USA

Becci Lilley