Jennifer aged 12, is bound for England glory

The future of women's football is safe in her hands.

Jennifer Head may be 12, but she's a great goalkeeper in the making, and has her eyes firmly fixed on the ultimate prize - the England women's team.

The Long Stratton High School student, who does her training at Long Stratton Leisure Centre has just been told she is in the Norfolk County Schools Under 14s squad. Her first match is in goal against the Suffolk County Schools team on Tuesday October 25.

She got the news by letter as she sat in class, and this level-headed and unassuming 12 year old allowed herself a modest celebration: "I punched the air and whispered...Yes," she said.

This is the latest milestone in a career which began when Jennifer was just four years old and playing football in the garden with proud Dad Ivan and brother Chris (now 16). She said: "It was Dad who inspired me."

She had also just seen her first football game on TV - it was "Man U" as she calls the famous team she follows, but she can't remember who they were up against. She's still a fan of course, despite being present at Man U's 2-0 drubbing by Norwich City at Carrow Road in April - a game that will go down in Canaries premiership folklore.

And although she has met Craig Fleming, her interest is firmly fixed on goalies, her favourites being Edwin van der Saar and the great former Man U keeper Peter Schmeichel. As to where she sees herself in the future, Jennifer is in no doubt: "I want to play for England."

Tom Fisher, duty manager and fitness instructor at Long Stratton Leisure Centre, has worked with Jennifer on her training and football skills. He said:

"Jenni's got very great talent, she's an awesome player and on a par with the boys. She's definitely got the talent to go all the way into the England women's team."

Jennifer is now training with other goalkeepers at Norwich City FC's player development centre. She hopes to make it to the 'school of excellence', which is part of the football in the community initiative. In the meantime, apart from her commitments at county level, she continues to play for Hempnall women's team.

With England qualifying top of their group for the World Cup finals in Germany, the inspiration for young people continues as it always has, and the dream of playing for England is alive and well in our schools.

Related pages

• Latest news