Newmarket-raised Kate McGreavy selected as part of newly-formed England Futsal Women’s team for FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup qualifiers

Kate McGreavy will fulfil a childhood ambition when she represents the newly-formed England Women’s Futsal team next month.

It was 12 months ago that England Futsal announced its intention to launch a first ever women’s performance pathway, with a view to entering a team into the upcoming European qualifiers for next year’s inaugural FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup.

And after a host of training sessions and selection cuts, at the weekend Newmarket-raised McGreavy was named as one of 14 players that will head to Moldova on October 16.

McGreavy, 29, said: “You never want to be all cliché at moments like this, but it was a dream come true.

“Growing up as a kid you aspire to play sport at a high level, but you know how hard that is and at the age of 29 you definitely feel like the chance of playing at international level is gone.

“It’s quite surreal and it hasn’t really sunk in yet, but I’m so honoured to get the call-up.

“I’ve never been part of such an elite set-up. It’s important to say how special this moment is for England Futsal and all of the people that have put a lot of hard work in behind the scenes.

“Hopefully this is just the start of a great journey for England Futsal.”

McGreavy and her team-mates will take on hosts Moldova, Finland and Slovenia in a group format, with the country that finishes top advancing through to the elite round of qualification, which takes place

Having never played a fixture together, England will very much be an ‘unknown quantity’ going into their three encounters – something that former St Louis Catholic Academy pupil McGreavy believes could work in the Three Lions’ favour.

“Nobody knows what to expect from us so we’re going to be a bit of an unknown quantity,” she added.

“We’ve got a good blend of experience and youth and really we have nothing to lose.

“We’ll relish the opportunity and there is no real pressure on us, which means we can play with freedom.

“The main message is about enjoying and embracing the experience. For the more experienced players like me in the squad, it feels like this has been a long time coming and it’s something many of us didn’t think would ever happen.

“We’ll go out there and do what we can, but with the quality that we’ve got in the squad there is no reason for us to fear anyone.”

Before jetting off on international duty, McGreavy will give her full focus to the start of the new National Futsal Series Tier 1 season on Saturday when her Bloomsbury side travel to face Southampton Aztecs, which is followed seven days later by a home encounter against Bolton.

There are a number of sponsorship opportunities with England Futsal. For more information, email klmcgreavy@gmail.com