FOOTBALL: Former Ruskington Lion obtains USA sports scholarship

Jessica Machin signs her contract with her Wyoming-based college.

Eighteen-year-old Jessica Machin has recently signed up for a soccer scholarship with Northwest Community College in Wyoming.

Jessica has been playing football since she was six years old, beginning with her local boys’ team Ruskington Lions.

She stayed with the Lions for four years, in which time she encouraged the club to start up a girls’ side. Whilst with the Lions, striker Jessica was top goal scorer in the league in all three seasons she played, helping Ruskington to win the title.

Unsurprisingly, Jessica was scouted by Lincoln City Centre of Excellence where she played up to 14 years old, and carried on their when it changed to the Lincoln Ladies’ Centre of Excellence until she was 17.

During her time at Lincoln, she was coached for two years by England women’s football captain Casey Stoner.

Jessica moved on to play for Doncaster Belles, under the tutelage of ex-England player Sue Smith, before joining Lincoln Griffins for the 2014-15 season in which her 28 goals helped the team win the league and cup double, including a key strike in the cup final.

She is currently playing for Mansfield Town ladies’ first team who are coached by Lewis Sax.

Jessica said: “We have a strict training programme, including strength and condition work, tactical sessions as well as working on key ball skills. Each game is videod, ready for analysis in the next training session to aid improvement.

“We are also progressing through the cup, where in the previous stage I scored two goals, enabling us to successful progress to the next stage.”

Jessica worked towards attaining her soccership as a client of United Sports USA over the last year.

The Glasgow-based company’s marketing consultant intern Rubina Ladjanszky said: “We believe that the option of studying abroad while continuing in full time sport is something that a lot of kids in the area would love to learn about.

“The options provide great life experience, a first class education, health rewards physical and mental for the next four years, internships and many other benefits.

“Jessica, we believe, is a terrific young talent who will only go from strength to strength from being part of a strong college football program.”