Twin Cumbrian football stars aiming high in Spain
Last updated at 12:08, Tuesday, 30 October 2012
Twin teenage footballers playing for a Blackburn Rovers under 17 team have been sponsored for a Spanish tour.
Rio and Steffi Hardy, who will be rubbing shoulders with the best players in Spain next year as part of the tour, have been awarded £250 each from Workington town council to cover travelling expenses.
The pair from Stainburn will be facing Barcelona, Valencia and Espanol teams
Workington mayor Andrew Lawson, the youngest mayor in the country, presented them with the money this week. He said: “They are inspirational and an example to everyone.
“It’s fantastic.
“Here are two girls who went to the same school as me who are playing for Blackburn Rovers and who could go on and play for England.”
Rio and Steffi have starred for the Championship club, with both picking up honours at the Ewood Park club’s end of season awards.
Striker Rio was named Manager’s Player of the Year, and centre back Steffi Players’ Player of the Year.
Proud mum Corinne said: “The girls are going on tour and get to play teams like Barcelona.
“They’re enjoying being around Blackburn full-time, and are excited about what the future holds.
“They are absolutely looking forward to it.”
The girls are also due to go to Sweden for the Gothia Cup in July.
The twins, who also represented the county in athletics and netball, have attended England football training camps.
Their England prospects have improved after their outstanding first year with Rovers.
The 16-year-olds switched to Blackburn following trials, after the closure of Cumbria Girls Football Centre of Excellence at Penrith.
And despite tempting offers from Burnley and Doncaster Rovers Belles, they plan to stay with Blackburn, mixing their flourishing football careers with further education at college in Accrington.
First published at 11:41, Tuesday, 30 October 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
Have your say
- Cumbria police pledge crackdown on illegal sale of weapons (3 comments)
- September decision on whether Americans will continue to run Sellafield (2 comments)
- 28 new housing sites in Carlisle unveiled (14 comments)
- National restaurant company eyeing Carlisle's Hoopers building (21 comments)
- Hope buyer can be found for Carlisle pub (7 comments)
- Families asked to scatter ashes on Lake District fells - not leave boxes (2 comments)
- Allerdale needs 200 affordable homes a year to help first time buyers (13 comments)
- Plans to cut speed limit on Carlisle road to 40mph (27 comments)
- Cumbria police used bus full of children as roadblock to stop car (57 comments)
- Anger as new homes approved despite 300 objections (42 comments)
Court & crime
Anne Pickles
Vote
Search for:
| NEWS & STAR ON: | |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Quick links
- National restaurant company eyeing Carlisle's Hoopers building (21 comments)
- Couple left son home alone to go on holiday abroad, Carlisle court told
- Carlisle road closed after lorry driver injured
- Carlisle trader who illegally clocked cars jailed
- Police appeal after girl, 10, says she was touched by man on street
- National restaurant company eyeing Carlisle's Hoopers building (21 comments)
- 28 new housing sites in Carlisle unveiled (14 comments)
- Allerdale needs 200 affordable homes a year to help first time buyers (13 comments)
- Gangs in Carlisle scouring rubbish bags for bank details - claim (11 comments)
- Cumbria police used bus full of children as roadblock to stop car (57 comments)
- Cumbria police used bus full of children as roadblock to stop car (57 comments)
- Anger as new homes approved despite 300 objections (42 comments)
- Trade chairman against Cumbria's summer road closures plan (39 comments)
- Carlisle city centre clothes shop closing down (33 comments)
- Hoopers store in Carlisle bought 'by mistake' at auction (32 comments)
