WSFA has provided me with plenty of fun, footballing opportunities!
With RCTSFA now seeking nominations from RCT schools for our new generation of schoolgirl footballers, we considered this a good time to catch up with one of our brightest RCTSFA talents. Jess Pascoe is currently with our U15s Girls squad, having joined the WSFA pathway in 2015 as part of the former Glamorgan Valleys schools squad.
Jess has achieved considerable success with RCTSFA, allied to her burgeoning club success with Bristol City RTC and also recognition at national level. As a role model to future generations of schoolgirl footballers, Jess has agreed to share her experiences:
Q1. Please tell us about your journey as a footballer, and what role has Schools football played in your development?
“I started playing football with the boys when I was in Year 5, aged 9, in my primary school and was part of the school team.
My teacher encouraged me to join a team outside school so I joined a local girls team, Abertysswg.
I then joined boys clubs including Blackwood Town and Cefn Forest, as I enjoyed the physicality playing against the boys.”
Q2. What has been the top 3 highlights of your time with RCTSFA?
“Every season we travel to play Worcester Schools and these games are fun! I love away matches and the journey with all of the squad. One of the biggest challenges and opportunities of playing representative schools football, is that I get to test myself against players in squads who have represented their home nation.
In the 2016/17 season we reached the final of the U13s Inter-Association competition. Even though we lost against our rivals Cardiff & Vale at Ystrad Mynach, it was a great experience for whole squad.
Scoring hat tricks is always fun! I’ve scored hatricks for the County this season, last and the year before! Wish I could have kept the footballs!”
Q3. To any young schoolgirl footballers reading this piece, what is your most important piece of advice in relation to their football development?
The best bit of advice for development is to enjoy your football and have fun! If it starts not to be fun and enjoyment say so. You've gotta love what you're doing
Q4. What other opportunities has the WSFA schoolgirl pathway allowed you enjoy?
WSFA has provided me with plenty of fun, footballing opportunities! Being part of the squad for 3 years I have developed good friendships. I'm proud of the team. The coaches get to know you as a person and they encourage and believe in you. They want the best for you and get the best out of you for the team.
Q5. Finally, what are your main ambitions and targets in an RCTSFA shirt, and longer term in your football career beyond your time with us?
My main target for RCTSFA is to continue to score goals. This is something I love doing and goals win games! I will keep working hard with my team mates.
My ambition is to be a professional footballer. When I realise my dreams I will feature at the very highest level I can. I will still challenge myself to be the best I can.
Thanks RCTSFA for allowing me to share my ideas. Thanks for valuing the contribution I have given to County football & picking me to do this.
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Want to follow in the footsteps of Jess and our other 40 county schoolgirl footballers? The RCTSFA nomination window is now open and information has been sent to ALL primary schools.
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