Chorley Guardian report Blackburn Rovers star Jade Elliot is the first female futsal scholar in region

Jade Elliot - futsal star from Chorley

Jade Elliot – futsal star from Chorley

It may have originated in the favelas of South America, but one Lancashire teenager has become the first female futsal scholar in the region.

Jade Elliott, from Clayton Brook, near Chorley, is following in the footsteps of Lionel Messi and Ronaldo to master the art of futsal, a modified form of football played indoors.

The 17-year-old has become the first girl to join the Football League Trust powered football scholarship in the North West playing for Blackburn Rovers and holding down a place in an otherwise all male team.

Now, the sports ace has set her sights on the professional ranks and dreams of becoming the first female manager in the Premier League.

She said: “Before futsal I had only played football for girls teams now I am in a team with a group of lads.

“Being the only girl was an obstacle I had to overcome to do something I love.

“I’ve been called names, but I have just brushed it off and I feel like I have fitted in well.

“I started futsal because I wanted to improve my strength and apply it to my 11-a-side game.

“It has built up my strength and my technical ability has improved.

“Now my biggest aim is to get girls playing futsal to help aid their footballing game and don’t let playing with lads determine their decision as to not playing.”

Jade is currently studying a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport as part of Blackburn Rovers’ futsal and education programme.

Two of the greatest footballers in the world – Real Madrid galáctico Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona star Lionel Messi – both started out playing futsal in Portugal and Argentina.
Read more: http://www.lep.co.uk/news/blackburn-rovers-star-jade-is-the-first-female-futsal-scholar-in-region-1-7747372#ixzz41AwbPXoh