Chilton Cantelo School Year 11 pupil, Shannon Watts, was selected last month by the Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA) to join their National U18 Representative Squad. At the age of only 15, Shannon has done extremely well and as goal keeper she impresses even more.
Shannon’s love of football started when she was around five years of age, being put in goal opposite her sister, Lauren, who was practicing her technique.
Shannon’s dad, Clive, has also had a big influence in her sports life having started a girls’ football club at her Primary School which she joined at the age of seven.
Since then, Shannon joined the Yeovil Town Ladies Under 12s and is now in the Under 16s. During that time Shannon has won five league table titles as well as several tournaments.
This year, the team has won an amazing treble: the Somerset Under 16 Girls League, the League Cup and the Somerset County Cup.
Clive Watts has been coaching these teams as well.
Since being at Chilton Cantelo, Shannon attended the ISFA National 16 Girls’ Development Camp in August 2015 followed by another selection to attend the Development Camp which took place at the FA’s National Football Centre at St George’s Park in December 2014. Shannon also represented the South West during the ISFA U18 Girls Regional Championships at Harrow School in March this year.
During this upcoming August Shannon will be attending the ISFA National U18 Girls Development Camp.
Julia Bowkett, Director of Sport at Chilton Cantelo School, said: ‘Well done, Shannon, and congratulations on your amazing journey so far!’