University of Worcester student 'thrilled' at the chance to represent England at European tournament
25-year-old Alice Hopkins, who is currently studying for a PhD in English, is part of the England squad for the Women's Blind Football European Championships
A University of Worcester student has said it's "amazing" to have been given another opportunity to play for her country on the international stage.
Alice Hopkins, who's from Newark in Nottinghamshire, has been selected in England's squad for the Women's Blind Football European Championships which get underway in TĂĽrkiye from today (3 October).
The 25-year-old is currently studying at the university for a PhD in English, having already picked up a degree in history and creative writing and a Master’s in research in media and culture there.
She was part of the England team which competed in the first ever IBSA Women's Blind Football World Championship in India last year, but before that represented them at the first Women’s Blind Football European Championships in Italy back in 2022.
"It's amazing, every time we have a tournament come round there's always the nerves of who's going to be on the squad," she said.
"Every time I always get like a little kid at Christmas and get all giddy when opening the e-mail congratulations letter."
The team, who finished second at the World Championships, will compete against four other sides at the Euros, taking on Austria, Poland, TĂĽrkiye and a Neutral Para team.
Alice, who mainly plays in midfield, discovered the sport when she was based at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford back in 2021.
"If you ask my parents, ten years ago I wouldn't be the sporty kid, I'd be the one sat in the corner with a book," she said.
"(It's amazing) to be able to go out and say I represent England, not just as a athlete that gets to wear the three lions, but as someone that's had an impact on other female blind players who've come into the programme and joined the team from just having watched us."
The Women's Blind Football European Championships run from the 3-7 October in Istanbul.