POPPLETON Girls under-18s and York City Ladies player Rachel Humble has secured a football scholarship in the USA.

The Joseph Rowntree sixth-form pupil will enrol at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri this month and play for the “Owls” soccer team, while she combines four years of studies with games and full-time football training.

Humble’s scholarship has been gained through the assistance of PASS4Soccer Scholarships and is in recognition of both her academic achievements and athletic ability.

She won her place, having taken part in a USA Coach Showcase, hosted by PASS4Soccer in December.

Commenting on the exciting next chapter in her life, Humble enthused: “Choosing to study in the US is giving me broader options for my studies. It's giving me endless opportunities to experience new things and meet new people at a beautiful university campus, with amazing team mates and facilities, playing the game that I love.”

Places in the PASS4Soccer Network Programme are now available for students seeking to enter a US university soccer programme in August 2019 and 2020.

With UK students currently accruing £43,000 of debt on average after graduation, the programme offers a great opportunity for talented footballers to minimise that financial burden, as scholarships can cover up to 100 per cent of the cost for tuition fees, accommodation and food.

PASS4Soccer are officially recommended by the English Schools’ FA and League Football Education and five players have gone on to sign for MLS clubs, while others have returned to the UK and played in the Football League.

Interested players should register online at www.PASS4Soccer.com or contact PASS4Soccer on 01912295236.