SPIRE Academy is thrilled to announce the arrival of four talented women soccer players from the UK who have chosen SPIRE over well-established programs in their home country. Their decision to join SPIRE underscores the exceptional opportunities for development along with the phenomenal level of competition the school offers.

Ava McCartney, a standout student at Ashfield School in Nottinghamshire, is an accomplished athlete who has played soccer, basketball and netball. Her impressive athletic achievements include reaching the Quarter Finals of the English Schools PlayStation National Cup and captaining Chesterfield FC Women to a League Cup victory. Ava’s decision to join SPIRE is driven by the outstanding facilities and soccer program. She told us she’s looking forward to being immersed in a new learning environment where she’ll be able to interact with others from a variety of diverse backgrounds, “I’m excited about going to SPIRE because of the amazing facilities, the soccer program, being able to experience a new learning environment, along with meeting new and interesting people from around the world!”

Libby Hudson, another alum of the Ashfield School, previously played for Nottingham Forest Ladies U18’s and Chesterfield Ladies first team, is eager to enhance her football skills and academic pursuits while at SPIRE. She recently told us, “I’m excited about going to SPIRE to further my football development and my academic studies. The facilities are amazing and along with great coaching and strength and conditioning sessions. I feel that I will thrive. I’m looking forward to traveling to different parts of the USA to play games and consider colleges.”

Isobel Dooley, a rising talent from Calderstones Secondary School, has represented top clubs like Manchester United’s U14-U16 regional talent centre, Liverpool Football Club U16 regional talent center which were the North England Champions 2022-23, as well as Blackburn Rovers (U21) and Bury AFC, is determined to use her time at SPIRE to help her pursue her dream of becoming a professional soccer player. Isobel firmly believes that SPIRE will prove to be instrumental in her continuing to develop as a player, and she’s counting down the days till she’s playing for SPIRE, “I am excited to join SPIRE Academy in pursuit of my goal of being a professional soccer player…becoming part of the SPIRE family with its excellent staff and facilities on-site is an amazing opportunity that will allow me to develop massively. I am looking forward to playing for SPIRE Academy and putting on the jersey next season.” 

Liv Houlston, a multi-sport athlete from Thomas Telford School in Shropshire, has years of experience playing soccer, cricket and tennis. This seasoned player with West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers U16 Academy recently told us, “I am excited to be part of the first Women’s Soccer team at SPIRE and working with Coach Sean Lane. This is a great opportunity to train and study within state-of-the-art facilities with like-minded athletes from all over the world.”

Brett Jones of Starbridge Sports facilitated getting these women enrolled at SPIRE, told us, “SPIRE offers world leading facilities, coaching staff and academics, but more importantly, it offers a pastoral aspect of support that is essential to international students. A family-orientated focus on professionalism, high standards and a strong culture of togetherness. This undoubtedly supports our recommendation to families and athletes that we work with. Additionally, Coach Sean Lane provides stability and an environment for our athletes to thrive under professional guidance and coaching.”

Coach Lane explained that he trusts Jones’ eye when it comes to recruiting new players for the school, and there’s still the possibility of finding a couple more players by the end of the year. He explained, “I’ve gone out trying to recruit the best people I know in the women’s game…and this is a global search. This is not, I’m looking in Ohio, or I’m looking in Geneva…I’m looking at the best person who I know has been recommended to me in the world.” When it comes to coaching these talented young women, Lane also explained, “They want to be trained like the men but treated like ladies…that’s what we’ll do.”

SPIRE Academy is honored to welcome these exceptional players to its new women’s soccer program and is committed to providing them with the support and resources needed to excel both on and off the pitch.