HOLY Trinity student Issy Brooks has taken her first step towards realising her dream of becoming a professional footballer after being selected for the FA Centre of Excellence at Birmingham City Football Club.

The eight-year-old she has been playing under contract with Birmingham City Ladies under-9s.

Following her contract being renewed she has beaten off fierce competition from around 120 other young aspiring football players, and has been selected to join the 13-strong U11 Ladies squad at the Blues.

Father Steve Brooks said: “We are so very proud of her and this is testament to her hard work and dedication since she started playing football at the age of four.”

Entering the Football Association’s Centre of Excellence pathway could hopefully enable Issy to fulfil her dreams of playing for England.

As well as the comprehensive training programme she will undertake, she will now spend her Saturdays playing matches against other Centre of Excellence teams such as Arsenal, Manchester United and Aston Villa.

Holy Trinity’s Head of Prep Jon Brunt said: “We are all so proud of Issy and for one so young to have achieved so much already, we now wish her continued success as she progresses in her chosen career.”

l Answering City's call: Eight year old Issy Brooks (centre) with her Holy Trinity Year 4 class mates Isla Tallon (8yrs), Bethany Smith (9yrs), Dominic Hill (9yrs) and Meillie Lojko-Green (9yrs).

School details: Holy Trinity School t: +44 (0)1562 822929 e: office@holytrinity.co.uk www.holytrinity.co.uk and www.htsfreeschool.co.uk