Two Suffolk youngsters with a goal of becoming professional footballers are travelling to America to try and fulfil their dreams.
The learners have just completed a level 3 business course at Suffolk New College.
Alongside their studies, they get to train and play football with the Ipswich Town Foundation.
Through that link they were put in touch with an organisation called US Sports Scholarships and they will both now be off to the USA in July to play ‘soccer’ alongside their studies.
Morgan Reddington, 18, from Ipswich will be heading to Chicago to study at Morton Community College. Morgan said: “I’m going to study marketing (with sport) for a year and if I like it I will progress on to a four year degree.
“I’ve wanted to do this for years as I want to experience a different place and meet new people.
“We might be playing on TV in front of thousands of people. It’s exciting. The aim is to go as far as I can in the game.”
Morgan – who appeared in a Barclays advert with former England legends Ian Wright and Kelly Smith last year – added: “If people read this, I hope they think that nothing is out of reach.”
Iola Vanharen, 18, from Lowestoft will be going to North Iowa Area Community College for a two year programme.
Iola said: “I love it at Suffolk New College but now it’s time for a new challenge. I play as a striker and as a centre back and I’m looking forward to the attention I get. I’ll probably be one of the only British people at the college. I hope to make it as a professional but if I don’t, I’d like to be a coach.”
Iola – who has played at Portman Road and at Charlton Athletic whilst being part of the education programme at Suffolk New College and Ipswich Town Foundation– continued: “I really believe there is always a way to make it.”
Their tutor at Suffolk New College is Ashleigh Hurrell. Ashleigh said: “I’m really proud of Iola and Morgan.
My advice to them is to make the best of the experience and go off and become famous. If other young people read this, I hope it raises their aspirations to follow their dreams.”