Rising star: Emilee Leacock heads to France with Northern Ireland U17 Women’s Squad

Slemish College student, Emilee Leacock

(Image: Cindy Robinson Photography)

Local teenager Emilee Leacock has earned a place in the Northern Ireland Under-17 Women’s squad, as the team gears up for an international friendly against France next week.

The Year 13 Slemish College student, who plays her club football with Crusaders Strikers, was named in Gail Redmond’s 20-player squad following standout performances in training and competitive matches.

A statement from Slemish College praised her achievement, saying:

“Congratulations to our Year 13 student Emilee Leacock who has been selected for the NI U17 Women’s Football Squad who are travelling to France for a friendly fixture in preparation for the Euro Qualifiers. This is a fantastic achievement for a very talented footballer… We are super proud of you!”

Before the squad departs for France, Leacock will join her teammates at a training camp in Campbell College, Belfast, this weekend. The side will then travel to the French Football Federation’s Clairefontaine training centre, just outside Paris, for the first of two key friendlies.

The Northern Ireland Women’s U17s face France on Wednesday 1 October (4pm local time) before returning home to Larne’s Inver Park to take on the Republic of Ireland on Sunday 5 October (3pm).

The fixtures form part of preparations for next year’s UEFA Women’s Under-17 European Championship, which Northern Ireland will host from 3 to 16 May 2026. Matches will be played at Inver Park in Larne, Seaview in Belfast, and Windsor Park for the tournament’s latter stages.

Leacock joins an impressive line-up of emerging young talent, including Crusaders teammates Sophie Glover, Holly Hilton and Ava Hurl, alongside Larne Women’s Annarose Robinson and Charley McMullan.

Northern Ireland WU17 head coach Gail Redmond said the matches will be a vital test for her squad:

“France and Republic of Ireland will provide strong opposition as we prepare for the UEFA Women’s Under-17 European Championship next year.”

For Leacock, the call-up represents a major step forward in her football journey and a source of pride for both her school and her community.