“A” Team Roar to Record-Breaking Points Total!!

As the dust settles on the Whitehaven AFC “A” Teams second season in the Lancashire Leagues Division 1 North, we caught up with 16yr old winger Nyla Beckwith & Vice Captain Jodie Clark on the success they have had,

breaking their first years points total in the league!

Nyla tell us a bit about the type of player you are and maybe want to be in the future?

“I am a team player who thinks about the game as a whole, looking for the next pass or where to position myself to defend. I try to read the game well, I enjoy watching any football and analysing games which I believe helps me develop as a player. Over the upcoming years, I would like to strengthen my football knowledge and work on the areas I need to improve on.”

Nyla has been ever present in the team throughout the year, joining the setup after completing her youth journey with local club Moor Row Girls. The team was rebuilt after a transitional summer, with a lot of new players joining the the set up along with a brand new coaching team, led by Paul Schofield.

“It’s been a terrific season for the “A” Team, breaking the points record set in the first year, I think the season has went great. The team has adapted to each other’s playing style quickly and well. We had some players from last years team including Jodie Clarke who is our vice captain to give us a good core, but we never knew how the season would go really with so many new players. The fact we have broken last year’s points record is a massive achievement and hopefully something we can build on next season.”

Vice Captain Jodie Clarke drives out of defence!!

Vice Captain Jodie Clarke, has been playing football since she was 8 years old and returned to Whitehaven to join the open age team a number of years ago including playing for both the Summer Team and First Team. Jodie commented “Being named this year as vice captain was a really exciting opportunity. It’s been a great season with a lot of new faces joining the team from the clubs Pathway but also from different teams in the area which is important. We all get on really well and are a strong team. We work well together and have the same desire to give it our all each game which had helped us achieve more than what we possibly expected at the start of the season and it’s an exciting time to be part of the club.”

Nyla, you’re obviously still really young at 16, and you come from another club after playing your youth at Moor Row, what was it like coming to a whole new club and stepping to senior level.

“I played for Moor Row for 3 years alongside a great team of girls and coaches, last season I was playing U16s, unfortunately the team then folded so wasn’t sure the next step.

Nyla Beckwith battles strongly against Molly Butler in the County Cup Qtr Final!!

It has definitely been a big change coming from a youth setup at my previous club into a completely new environment — especially stepping up to the senior level — I knew this was always going to be a challenge. The biggest difference is the intensity. In youth football, it’s competitive, but senior football is more physical and faster and you are up against some ladies who have been in the game for years. Moving to a new club felt daunting at first but i was fortunate that Chloe Schofield (Midfielder) moved to Whitehaven with me. I also really liked the taster sessions that Whitehaven put on where I came and watched the ladies train for pre-season, I thought this was good as it introduced me to everyone and gave me an insight into the setup of training. The senior ladies and coaching team have been really welcoming with me and have helped me settle in, given advice on and off the pitch, and made sure I felt part of the team from early on. That makes a huge difference because when you feel welcome, you play with more confidence. Overall, it’s been a great learning curve, but one I’ve really enjoyed. I know I’m still developing, and being around experienced players is only going to help me improve.

Manager Paul Schofield was full of praise for Nyla “It’s a massive step to come into a totally new club and set up, and that includes myself. However it’s been a really easy transistion. Whitehaven are a very welcoming club and I believe this has helped Nyla among other players. She watched some open sessions we were invited to, and then encouraged to join in and really from that point she’s went from strength to strength, noticed by coaches and her team mates. At 16 it’s a big learning curve but the environment at Whitehaven allows you to find your feet really quickly and progress and Nyla had took full advantage of that and become one of the most consistent players in a great season”

“A” Team Manager Paul Schofield overseeing his team break points record!!

So Nyla you don’t come across as a player who sits on their laurels, what’s your ambitions and hopes for next season and the summer league the club offers?

For the Summer League, it would be good if we could keep improving every week and I’m hoping that we can get good points in this and maybe win a trophy as the team did last year. We’ve worked really hard so hopefully we can start the summer season the way we finished the winter one, strong. On a personal note, after having just received my first player of the match award at senior level, I’m hoping to gain a few more over the upcoming seasons, as well as this, going into next season I want to come back stronger and more confident and help the team achieve even more.

First & “A” Team Vibes!!

Both Jodie & Nyla were in no doubt that the goal and challenge next season is to mount a title bid, and are looking forward to building on relationships created this season whilst adding more quality players to the squad to continue to evolve and improve the team.