FA WSL 1 clubs Arsenal and Liverpool have each provided four players to the 20-strong group that will travel to Latvia next week for matches against Scotland, Slovakia and the host nation. The top two nations in the round-robin competition will advance to the elite qualifying round which takes place next spring. This season’s Euro finals will be staged in Lithuania in May 2018.

Squad: 

Asmita Ale (Aston Villa), Paige Bailey-Gayle (Arsenal), Fran Bentley (Manchester City), Emma Brown (Teesside), Lia Cataldo (Arsenal), Aimee Everett (Liverpool), Hannah Griffin (FC Saarbrücken), Naomi Hartley (Liverpool), Lauren James (Arsenal), Simran Jhamat (Liverpool), Ava Kuyken (Arsenal), Jess Park (York City Foundation), Abbie Roberts (MK Dons), Lucy Roberts (Liverpool), Ebony Salmon (Aston Villa), Kiera Skeels (Southampton), Libby Smith (Chelsea), Fran Stenson (Birmingham City), Phoebe Williams (Southampton), Jess Woolley (Bristol City).

Local girl Emma Brown who has been at Teesside RTC since she was 9 years old is naturally thrilled to be called up to u17 Lionesses ‘I feel immensely proud and incredibly honoured to play for my country. The first time I wore the shirt and sang the anthem was an amazing feeling that I’ll never forget. It’s great for Teesside to have a player representing England and I’ll keep training hard and pushing myself to be the best I can be’.

Following Emma’s call up the Technical Director of Teesside RTC Kelsey Byrne commented “Emma is a testament to all female footballers in the North East pursuing their dream of becoming a professional female footballer. She dedicates a lot of her own time, training up-to 4 times a week as well as a game each weekend and still manages to turn up to training early or take time out of the session to work on feedback she has been given from her coaches.

Emma is not only a fantastic footballer but she also reflects all of our club values about the creation of good people. She is loyal, dedicated, professional and respectful both on and off the field. Emma continues to be a role model for all our other age groups and players who are working hard to become the next England player from the North East. As Technical director of Teesside RTC, on behalf of all the staff I would like to wish Emma the best of luck for her upcoming Euro Qualifiers”

Everyone at the North Riding CFA wishes Emma well on her England adventures.