Lola spent years on the tennis courts, but almost seven years ago she decided to try something completely different, football. After a short spell at Meon Milton, she trialled for Pompey in the Community Girls Development.
Her trial was unforgettable, not just because she was successful, but because of the kit she chose to wear. She turned up in a Fleetwood Town FC kit, thinking it would make the coaches remember her.
Her mum laughs thinking back, “it worked”. Her dad had played for Fleetwood, so she had grown up wearing their kits.
Lola has been part of the Pompey in the Community Girls Development programme since U10s, building a strong and consistent footballing foundation over the years. She has competed in Hampshire Cup finals and JPL finals, won the JPL Trophy, travelled to Holland with the team, and gained valuable experience both on and off the pitch. This has included her involvement in the wider Pompey ITC programme, such as being a ball girl at Fratton Park for a couple of seasons and joining the youth committee.
Now in her U16 season, she closes out her Pompey JPL journey having faced Southampton in a Hampshire Cup final, marking another significant milestone with the team she has grown up in.
Lola will take the next step in her development this September by joining the Pompey in the Community BTEC programme, combining her commitment to football with her studies.
“Lola’s loved her time at PITC. Her development there has opened up so many opportunities such as playing for Hampshire and the JPL Rep team, where she has gone on international tours and even come home from the Gothia Cup with a medal. She’s made friends for life, and we have too.” – Claire, Lola’s mum
“I feel incredibly proud to see how Lola has developed not only as a player, but more importantly as a person. Our football programme offers so much more than football, and we pride ourselves on ensuring every young person who comes through it leaves as a better individual. Lola has certainly done that, and her commitment to PITC has been outstanding.
I’m excited to continue working and supporting her as she progresses in her footballing career alongside her studies here at Pompey in the Community.” – Kirsty Pearce, Women and Girls Football Lead
Lola, you are an inspiration to all of us at Pompey in the Community. We can’t wait to see where this next chapter takes you in your footballing journey.
