Albion striker Ria Rotner has received an offer of a scholarship in football in America.

The United States are the world champions of women's football.

Rotner said: "I would love to play the sport professionally and that is what they do in the States. It is a golden opportunity because America is the best place to play for women. There is already a lot of professional football over there."

The Portland University of Oregon have put down an early marker for the 16-year-old goal ace from Brighton, who wants to finish her education at Varndean College.

Ria said: "I have got a couple of years to think about it. I don't know whether I would miss my relatives and friends too much, but clearly America would be the place to be. I certainly wouldn't be put off by what has been happening over there lately.

"The university heard about me through a teacher of mine, Piers Halliwell, at my old school, Dorothy Stringer. They want to see a video of me playing."

Ria was at the Albion Centre of Excellence for two years and now plays for three Albion teams.

She said: "It gets a bit confusing sometimes because I don't know who I am playing for until the Thursday before the Sunday game, especially as they often play different tactics. But it is National League football and I love it. The reserves and thirds are doing really well, although the first team is finding it a little difficult after they were promoted last season."

Ria scored 56 goals last season, including 11 in one game, and has already hit a dozen goals this term.

"I have skill and can shoot but my best quality as a footballer is my pace. People call me Pycho because I turn up in all weathers for training and win 99 per cent of my tackles. I give 100 per cent."

She is already two-footed thanks to a 20 pence scheme introduced by Albion.

"Albion were getting a bit stressed that I was one-footed. I had to pay 20 pence everytime I kicked the ball with my right foot in training. It cost me a fiver a time at first but now I can kick with my left foot as well as my right."

Ria has a support group. "I'm the only one, apart from two uncles, who play football in our family and I'm quite proud of that. My family and friends think it is great that I play and get so much enjoyment from it. I think the days when people viewed it as just a male sport are over."

She began with Preston Panthers when she was seven after her teacher Darren Vallier recommended her. Panthers became Hassocks Hotshots before she joined Albion three years ago.

Her dream is to follow former Albion clubmate Julie Hemsley and play for England.

She said: "My managers and coaches at Albion say one day I can make it."

But it could be via America, with its expertise, facilities and level of competition. Watch this space.

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