A YOUNG Andover footballer has secured a prestigious scholarship to play the sport in the USA.

Kate Wiseman, who is part of the Reading WSL Development Squad, will be the joining University of North Alabama in August 2018 to study and play for the Lions football team.

The teenager will have the opportunity to combine her university studies alongside playing high level football and training full time for the next four years.

Kate, a Peter Symonds College student, is secured her scholarship through the PASS4Soccer Scholarship Network. The student took part in a USA Coach Showcase held at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre in December last year to help further her exposure to universities in the USA and those reviewing the video footage online.

The footballer said: “I want to study in America so I can combine playing soccer at a high standard whilst working towards getting a degree in my chosen subject, sports science.

"Playing a high standard of soccer and being able to train the amount I want to with the life experience of living in America. I chose UNA because it is a NCAA Division 1 University and the coaching provided looks excellent. It also has the course I want to study”

PASS4Soccer Director Daniel Gray added, “We are delighted Kate has accepted her scholarship in the USA at University of North Alabama. She is a high level player and has attracted the interest of the England U18 national team, making her debut earlier this year. Kate has been so determined throughout the process and has been a dream to deal with. I know she has really appreciated the support from her parents who have been by her side the whole time.”

Places in the PASS4Soccer Network Program are now available for students seeking to enter a US university soccer programme in August 2019 and 2020.

For more information, go to PASS4Soccer.com