National player Suzanne gives girls’ footy a boost at summer camp

Jul 31 2012 by Lynn Jolly, Paisley Daily Express

SCOTLAND footballer Suzanne Grant has been passing on the secrets of her success to young female Buddies who want to follow in her footsteps.

Striker Suzanne, 28, who plays with Celtic Ladies, recently went along to the first St Mirren FC Girls’ Summer Camp.

Suzanne, who has 93 caps for her country, took part in a question and answer session with the girls and signed their autograph books.

The week-long camp was open to all girls between five and 12 and offered them individual coaching, skills, speed and agility sessions and games.

The girls worked hard throughout the week – even when the heavens opened and torrential rain lashed down.

So it cheered them up when Suzanne popped along for a visit and spoke to them about her dedication to the game and her best experiences, while also giving them tips on how to get to the top level of the game.

Since the start of this year former Celtic player Corrie Campbell, who is working closely with St Mirren, has been working as the Scottish Football Association Girls’ and Women’s Club Development Officer for the West Region, which includes Renfrewshire.

Part of her job is to get more women and girls involved in the game, and she was delighted that Suzanne came along to the camp.

Corrie told us: “It is so important to expose our young girls to sporting role models.

“With the Olympic Games football taking place at Hampden Park, we have a great opportunity to raise the profile of our game and encourage more girls to take up the sport.

“I am so excited about the world’s top women football players coming to Britain, especially Hampden, to take part in the Olympic Games.

“There are so many players who are exciting to watch – whether it be their skill and flare, goal scoring or their technical ability and awareness to read the game.

“The Olympic Games could be a real catalyst to grow our game, particularly in the west region.”

If you would like to know any information regarding the girls’ and women’s game e-mail Corrie at corrie.campbell@ scottishfa.co.uk