Fulston Manor pupil offered two-year programme with Arsenal Women FC
Published: 05:00, 13 May 2022
A Swale schoolgirl has been offered a two-year playing and education programme with Arsenal Women FC.
Fulston Manor pupil Daniella Way, from Borden, Sittingbourne, will compete within the FA’s Women’s Super League, Academy League and Cups for the London club’s U21’s academy.
The 16-year-old has followed her father, Travis, and brother Elijah in her football prowess and has been playing since she was five years old.
Travis, the chairman of Swale Football Club, has encouraged his daughter to do the best she can.
The Year 11 pupil trains three times a week and plays as a left wing back.
Daniella said: “I’m so excited and determined to succeed. I think dad was more excited than anyone else when he heard I had been offered a place.”
The Arsenal Women FC WSL Academy aims at supporting talented female footballers within an elite player pathway to make the step from U16s academy football into the Arsenal Women’s 1st team.
Arsenal, based in Islington, finished second in this season’s FA Women’s Super League, finishing one point behind champions Chelsea after the final games on Sunday.
Chris Patey, PE teacher and Daniella’s head of house at Fulston Manor in Brenchley Road, said “We are absolutely delighted for Daniella and immensely proud to learn that she has been selected for the education programme at Arsenal FC.
“This is an incredible achievement, and something that we know Daniella has worked extremely hard for and dedicated many hours to.
“We are looking forward to following her journey in the world of football - she clearly has a very exciting career ahead of her.”
Statistically known as the most successful club in English women’s football, Arsenal Women’s FC hold records for most titles won in each domestic competition they have played in.
The club has won 15 League titles, 14 FA Women’s Cup titles, five FA WSL Cups, 10 Women’s Premier League Cups, five FA Women’s Community Shields, and are the only British club to win the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Daniella is also representing Fulston Manor for Kent Schools in the National County Schools Final at the Britannia Stadium, home of Stoke City, this month.
She added: “I really want to be a professional footballer so am well on my way to achieving my goal.”
Read more
SittingbourneMore by this author
Megan Carr