Alicia Thunders into 2020

GRASSCROFT’S Alicia Scholes has been named in the Manchester Thunder squad for the 2020 Vitality Netball Superleague season.

Yasmin Roebuck and Alicia Scholes

The 18-year-old, the daughter of Manchester United and England legend Paul, is called into the senior squad for the first time.

Thunder are the defending champions having won the Superleague title in May and begin their defence in February.

Alicia, who plays at centre and wing attack, has been part of the Thunder youth set-up for some time. She will remain part of Thunder’s Under-21 squad.

She has also starred at international level for England U17, U19 and U21 teams.

Dad Paul never doubted Alicia would make it to the highest level.

He told Thunder’s website: “We knew from the ages of six or seven when she first played at the ball hall in Failsworth.

“She had a team of friends and they were hammering everyone. We knew she had ability then and she was talented. She is still as dedicated now.”

Paul, who regularly watches Alicia’s matches at Belle Vue, praised her work ethic and commitment, but knows at 5ft 4in she faces challenges.

He continued: “When you’re smaller, and I was small, you have to find something else.

“That aggression has to come out and it’s not just aggression, you have to have the ability, the ball skills to ger around people who are bigger, stronger and quicker.

“Thunder are the best club in England having won Superleague last season so the hard work starts now.”

Yasmin Roebuck, also from Grasscroft, has been named in Thunder’s U17 squad for the current season and will also train with their U19s.

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