Latest news with #SouthOckendon
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Agyemang led from the front, says school captain
Lioness Michelle Agyemang has been described as a "coach's dream" but she was a nightmare if you were against her in training, said her former high school captain. The 19-year-old striker from South Ockendon, Essex, was named as the Euro 2025's young player of the tournament in recognition of her performances in the run-up to the Lionesses' win on Sunday. Hannah Warner, 20, from Southchurch, Essex, said she captained an 11-year-old Agyemang when she attended Southend High School for Girls and knew she would go far. "The main thing that I always noticed about her as a player from very young is... [she] does lead from the front," Ms Warner said. "In training, you would absolutely hate to be put on a different team to her - I'm so glad that I was on the same team as her for most of the time. "Even in small games during training I would absolutely hate to have to come up against her because she's the kind of player [who] once she's running at you, there's not a whole lot you can do about it," she added. Ms Warner said her school did not have a girl's football team before a new PE teacher joined when she was in Year 8. "[The teacher] was like 'I've got really exciting news, there's a girl who plays [for] Arsenal Academy who is joining our school next year' and obviously that was the most exciting news I think I could have ever heard. "[Because at] the last Euros she was a ball girl, it's very easy to think that this has all kind of come out of nowhere and she's been a very fast success story, but it has been a very long time in the making. "I knew I wanted to keep an eye on her because I knew that she was gonna she was destined to make something out of it." Ms Warner, who is now president of University of Southampton Ladies Football Club and a player for the first team, said she still loves the game. She said being the former captain of the England star will be her claim to fame for the foreseeable future. "I'll be milking this as long as I can," she joked. "I'll definitely be pulling that one out in two truths and a lie." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. England's epic Euros win in pictures Agyemang named best young player of Euro 2025 Wembley ball girl and bringing piano to Euros - Agyemang's journey Related internet links Women's Euros 2025
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Michelle Agyemang led from the front, says school captain
Lioness Michelle Agyemang has been described as a "coach's dream" but she was a nightmare if you were against her in training, said her former high school 19-year-old striker from South Ockendon, Essex, was named as the Euro 2025's young player of the tournament in recognition of her performances in the run-up to the Lionesses' win on Sunday. Hannah Warner, 20, from Southchurch, Essex, said she captained an 11-year-old Agyemang when she attended Southend High School for Girls and knew she would go far."The main thing that I always noticed about her as a player from very young is... [she] does lead from the front," Ms Warner said. "In training, you would absolutely hate to be put on a different team to her - I'm so glad that I was on the same team as her for most of the time. "Even in small games during training I would absolutely hate to have to come up against her because she's the kind of player [who] once she's running at you, there's not a whole lot you can do about it," she added. Ms Warner said her school did not have a girl's football team before a new PE teacher joined when she was in Year 8."[The teacher] was like 'I've got really exciting news, there's a girl who plays [for] Arsenal Academy who is joining our school next year' and obviously that was the most exciting news I think I could have ever heard."[Because at] the last Euros she was a ball girl, it's very easy to think that this has all kind of come out of nowhere and she's been a very fast success story, but it has been a very long time in the making."I knew I wanted to keep an eye on her because I knew that she was gonna she was destined to make something out of it." Ms Warner, who is now president of University of Southampton Ladies Football Club and a player for the first team, said she still loves the said being the former captain of the England star will be her claim to fame for the foreseeable future."I'll be milking this as long as I can," she joked."I'll definitely be pulling that one out in two truths and a lie." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Coach of Lioness' south Essex club hails her an inspiration for next generation
Lioness Michelle Agyemang has sealed her place as an inspirational heroine for the next generation of girls who want to play football, the coach at her old south Essex club has said. Youngsters from Agyemang's hometown gathered at a small community centre in South Ockendon, to cheer on the Lionesses to victory at the Euro 2025 final. The biggest applause was for the 19 year-old striker, who was taught at Southend High School for Girls and just a few years ago was also playing at Brandon Groves FC inn South Ockendon. Agyemang was named The Young Player of the Tournament on Sunday as England triumphed on penalties against Spain after a 1-1 draw. On Sunday, Roy Enright, 45, who manages the girls' team of under 13-year-olds, said: 'We are proud of Michelle, obviously, but we are also proud of our our girls' team here who play and train every week. They are consistent. 'Michelle's success and the Lionesses' success will only help that and it will only drive our girls on even further over the next year. It will also bring more girls into football locally as well.' He said it was 'amazing' to see Agyemang scoop the Young Player award after scoring two goals, making six attempts and having a 77.5 per cent passing accuracy rating in the competition. Paula Howes, vice chair of Brandon Grove FC, said: 'I think she (Agyemang) has got that determination and that drive on the pitch, and the girls can connect with that. 'It is also knowing that she is a local girl as well, I think that helps give them the motivation and drive, to know that you can start at grassroots football and progress up to the higher level, if you work at it.' Agyemang, who had one England cap before the tournament, has been a rising star in this competition, and twice became the team's saviour with equalisers in their quarter-final and semi-final comebacks. The 19-year-old came off the bench to score crucial equalisers against Sweden in the quarter-final and Italy in the last four. She also came on as a substitute in the final as England eventually saw off Spain on penalties to retain the trophy. Agyemang was picked as young player of the tournament by the Uefa Technical Observer Group who for her outstanding impact, both individually and for England. They said: 'Michelle made a great contribution to help England reach the final. 'She came on and both times got the goals that England needed to get through.' Lena Kowalska, 12, who plays midfield for the South Ockendon team, said she was really impressed and inspired by Agyemang. She said: 'It is the fact that at her age, she can already be playing in the Euros and with the top women, it just makes me feel that we could do it one day if we are hard working as well.'
The Independent
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Agyemang can inspire next generation of Lionesses, former coach says
Lioness Michelle Agyemang has sealed her place as an inspirational heroine for the next generation of girls who want to play football, the coach at her old local club has said. Youngsters from Agyemang's hometown gathered at a small community centre in South Ockendon, Essex, to cheer on the Lionesses to victory at the Euro 2025 final. The biggest applause was for the 19 year-old striker who just a few years ago was also playing at Brandon Groves FC. Agyemang was named The Young Player of the Tournament on Sunday as England triumphed on penalties against Spain after a 1-1 draw. On Sunday, Roy Enright, 45, who manages the girls' team of under 13-year-olds, said: 'We are proud of Michelle, obviously, but we are also proud of our our girls' team here who play and train every week. They are consistent. 'Michelle's success and the Lionesses' success will only help that and it will only drive our girls on even further over the next year. It will also bring more girls into football locally as well.' He said it was 'amazing' to see Agyemang scoop the Young Player award after scoring two goals, making six attempts and having a 77.5% passing accuracy rating in the competition. Paula Howes, vice chair of Brandon Grove FC, said: 'I think she (Agyemang) has got that determination and that drive on the pitch, and the girls can connect with that. 'It is also knowing that she is a local girl as well, I think that helps give them the motivation and drive, to know that you can start at grassroots football and progress up to the higher level, if you work at it.' Agyemang, who had one England cap before the tournament, has been a rising star in this competition, and twice became the team's saviour with equalisers in their quarter-final and semi-final comebacks. The 19-year-old came off the bench to score crucial equalisers against Sweden in the quarter-final and Italy in the last four. She also came on as a substitute in the final as England eventually saw off Spain on penalties to retain the trophy. Agyemang was picked as young player of the tournament by the Uefa Technical Observer Group who for her outstanding impact, both individually and for England. They said: 'Michelle made a great contribution to help England reach the final. 'She came on and both times got the goals that England needed to get through.' Lena Kowalska, 12, who plays midfield for the local team, said she was really impressed and inspired by Agyemang. She said: 'It is the fact that at her age, she can already be playing in the Euros and with the top women, it just makes me feel that we could do it one day if we are hard working as well.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Agyemang can inspire next generation of Lionesses, former coach says
Lioness Michelle Agyemang has sealed her place as an inspirational heroine for the next generation of girls who want to play football, the coach at her old local club has said. Youngsters from Agyemang's hometown gathered at a small community centre in South Ockendon, Essex, to cheer on the Lionesses to victory at the Euro 2025 final. The biggest applause was for the 19 year-old striker who just a few years ago was also playing at Brandon Groves FC. Agyemang was named The Young Player of the Tournament on Sunday as England triumphed on penalties against Spain after a 1-1 draw. On Sunday, Roy Enright, 45, who manages the girls' team of under 13-year-olds, said: 'We are proud of Michelle, obviously, but we are also proud of our our girls' team here who play and train every week. They are consistent. 'Michelle's success and the Lionesses' success will only help that and it will only drive our girls on even further over the next year. It will also bring more girls into football locally as well.' He said it was 'amazing' to see Agyemang scoop the Young Player award after scoring two goals, making six attempts and having a 77.5% passing accuracy rating in the competition. Paula Howes, vice chair of Brandon Grove FC, said: 'I think she (Agyemang) has got that determination and that drive on the pitch, and the girls can connect with that. 'It is also knowing that she is a local girl as well, I think that helps give them the motivation and drive, to know that you can start at grassroots football and progress up to the higher level, if you work at it.' Agyemang, who had one England cap before the tournament, has been a rising star in this competition, and twice became the team's saviour with equalisers in their quarter-final and semi-final comebacks. The 19-year-old came off the bench to score crucial equalisers against Sweden in the quarter-final and Italy in the last four. She also came on as a substitute in the final as England eventually saw off Spain on penalties to retain the trophy. Agyemang was picked as young player of the tournament by the Uefa Technical Observer Group who for her outstanding impact, both individually and for England. They said: 'Michelle made a great contribution to help England reach the final. 'She came on and both times got the goals that England needed to get through.' Lena Kowalska, 12, who plays midfield for the local team, said she was really impressed and inspired by Agyemang. She said: 'It is the fact that at her age, she can already be playing in the Euros and with the top women, it just makes me feel that we could do it one day if we are hard working as well.'
