Workington Reds Ladies have welcomed a promising young player to the club.
Olivia Paice will figure in this weekend’s travelling squad against Preston North End assuming all goes well with her registration with the league.
Now living near Cockermouth, Olivia hails from Bolton and moved to Cumbria several years ago.
Football has always been a big part of her life and she has ambitions to play at the highest level possible.
Olivia has just turned 16 and has been eagerly waiting for the chance to train with the Ladies and show what she has to offer them.
She is a central midfielder who has a great first touch and is technically advanced for her tender years.
On signing for the Ladies, Olivia said: “I’ve been really excited about joining up with the Ladies, it’s felt like an eternity, waiting to turn 16.
“I met the squad last Tuesday for the first time and they were really welcoming and gave me loads of support and encouragement.
“To be told that there was a place in the squad for me this week-end was amazing and unexpected if I’m honest, but I am really looking forward to starting out and gaining some game time this week-end.”
She follows in the footsteps of Alice Kemp, Olivia Bennet and Rowan Williams in that she joins the Reds Ladies having played her junior football at Cockermouth FC.
More recently she has made the move to Allerdale Junior FC where she currently plays.
Manager Paul Mackenzie said: “Olivia has shown an amazing desire to join us and that has impressed us greatly. I get the impression that she has been chalking the days off until she turned 16 and was able to come and join us.
“She’s made an impressive start with us, and I’m sure we will see even more of her ability once she settles a bit more and gains her confidence.
“Olivia knows that I would rather she completes her time in the junior ranks and uses the rest of their season to push herself as far as she can with her junior team.
“That said, if the chance to join up with us on the week-end presents itself, then she will be considered on merit as will anyone else.
“Olivia is the first of what we hope will be many young ladies that decide to join us before the start of the 2024/25 season as we have plans to launch a Development Team in the Lancashire League.
“There are many more talented players coming available at the end of this season and we want to bring them on board and push to increase the opportunity to play at the open age level for as many players as possible.”
