Harleston Magpies Ladies’ I coach John Adams stated he is ‘incredibly proud’ after two of his players, Anna Cogdell and Beth Gardens, received call-ups to the England under-21 and England under-18 squads respectively.
The former, who represented England at under-18s level last year, will travel to Barcelona to team up with the under-21s squad for the first time, where she will face Spain in three practice matches over the Easter period, after impressing in an assessment in January.
Cogdell has been at Magpies since she was seven years old and has impressed during her time at the club, including when she was the second top scorer in Division One of the Super 6s Championships Division in 2023 with 18 goals.
She found out about the call-up on her 18th birthday, just after Harleston defeated high-flying Barnes in the Vitality Women’s League Division 1 South on February 17.
“As a club, we’re incredibly proud because she has worked incredibly hard to achieve it,” said Adams.
“I think she sets an incredible example to all juniors at our club because she plays every week, she always trains twice a week and she never misses anything.
“She’s one of the best youngsters that we’ve ever had by a mile. Her stick-work, skills and dribbling are unbelievable. She’s incredibly talented and I hope that, if she keeps herself fit and continues to improve, she will go all the way.”
Meanwhile, Gardens, who also joined Magpies at seven years old where she spent her first three seasons with the uder-10s team, will represent England in a tournament with Holland, Germany and Scotland over the coming weeks.
She has played for her country in the under-16 group and follows in her sister, Georgie’s, footsteps who also represented England while playing for Magpies.
“She is one of the most talented players at her age that I have ever seen in my life,” said Adams.
“She reads the game unbelievably well for somebody so young.
“She’s worked so hard over the years and she’s put a lot of work, effort and commitment into getting to this stage.
“We’re so thrilled for them that they have managed to do this while playing for Harleston Magpies.”
