Le Tissier is ‘doing it the hard way’
GUERNSEY’s Maya Le Tissier has had it much tougher than most aspiring footballers her age – but the bright teenager believes her experiences will give her the upper hand as she chases her childhood dream.
The 15-year-old made history as the first Channel Islands girl to represent England when she captained the under-15 team back in April and is currently playing football with three different boys’ teams in a bid to give herself the best preparation ahead of her career move to the UK.
The central-midfielder plies her trade at under-16 and under-18 level at St Martin’s as well as turning out for Guernsey’s under-16 team – courtesy of the FA’s decision to increase the mixed football age limit from under-16 level to Under-18, a move implemented last season.
While it may pose its challenges, Le Tissier counts herself lucky to be one of the first few to have profited from the historic change, which she believes will give her the edge when she joins a club in England.
‘I think I’m doing it the hard way – most girls in England are at academies and sometimes they’re encouraged to play against boys’ teams anyway,’ said Le Tissier.
‘I’d like to think I’ll have a step up over some of the women by the time I join a club in England. It gives me that extra bit of game management.
‘It’s such a small island, so I’ve grown up playing with a lot of boys. But the under-18s is really physical – you just have to try and play round it.
‘I’ve improved the physical side of my game massively. It’s good to have a mix and it’ll push me forward – I’m playing the highest level of boys’ football that I can and it’s going great.’
Rooted at the heart of Le Tissier’s busy training schedule is her short-term desire of signing for a professional women’s club across the Channel, a move which would see the youngster save a lot more than what her current regime demands.
Despite having to set up a crowdfunding site to help fund her frequent trips across the Channel, the optimistic teenager admits she is already fortunate to have the support from a group of sponsors, including the SSE Next Generation scheme.
Since 2013, SSE is proud to make a difference to young people, their families and their communities, by investing in the future of sporting talent through the SSE Next Generation scheme. Keep up to date @YourSSE.
Full story in today's Guernsey Press
