FOOTBALL-MAD Ava Broke-Smith has been selected for the Exeter City Ladies Under-12 squad for the 2017/18 season, even though she is only nine years old.

Ava is a pupil at King’s Hall School, and she has been playing football ever since she could kick a ball. 

She was chosen from a large number of girls who recently attended an open trial at the Exeter Girls Development Centre.

Earlier this month, Ava was a member of the King’s Hall Girls team which took part in the National Independent Prep Schools Under-11 Finals at St George Park, where they remained unbeaten and claimed fifth place of the 12 teams present.

Ava, a midfielder, also plays for Bishops Lydeard Under-11s.

Her first training session with Exeter City will take place on Thursday, September 14 at the Cliff Hill Training Ground.

Chris Heayns, the director of football at King’s Schools, said: “Ava is a very talented young footballer so it’s great to see her being given the opportunity to develop that skill with Exeter City Ladies.

“Ava has always been to the forefront ever since I became involved with the girl’s football at King’s Hall almost two years ago, and this is a great chance for her to go on and play at a higher level.”

He added: “Hopefully Ava will be just the first of several young players from King’s who take advantage of the strong links that exist between Exeter City and King’s Schools.”