West Bridgford Colts footballer Amelia Wharrier, aged 12, had the experience of a lifetime as she attended the official unveiling of the Mary Earps model at Madame Tussauds.
Amelia, a talented goalkeeper and outfield player, was unaware that her football idol, Mary Earps, would be making a surprise appearance at the event. The unforgettable moment was capped when Amelia had the opportunity to meet Earps, hand her a personal letter, and chat with her football hero.
Amelia, who attends The West Bridgford School, has been a part of West Bridgford Colts since the age of four.
She currently plays for West Bridgford Colts Scorpions, a mixed team where she is the only girl, and for the girls-only team, West Bridgford Colts Atlantic.
Coached by her father Mark Wharrier and his friend Simon Foottit, Amelia takes on dual roles, playing both outfield and in goal for the Scorpions.
On the Atlantic team, she is the dedicated goalkeeper, showing tremendous growth in skill and confidence, which recently led to her being nominated for recognition by team managers Ewan and Kate McFarlane.
In addition to her club commitments, Amelia also represents her school in the A team, alongside many of her Colts teammates. With a demanding schedule of three training sessions per week and up to three matches on weekends, Amelia is fully committed to her passion for football.
The Madame Tussauds unveiling was an exciting surprise for Amelia, who also met Mary Earps’ family and friends, including her sister, brother, and agent. During the event, Amelia was approached for interviews by BBC Breakfast and a women’s sports publication, highlighting her as a rising star in local football.
Amelia’s team, West Bridgford Colts Atlantic, are making waves in their league and are currently positioned top of the table.
West Bridgford Colts chair, Peter Stansbury told The Wire:
‘We are very proud to see our former player Mary Earps unveiled at Madam Tussaud’s. She is an inspiration to young girls in our club and along with the success of the Lionesses we continue to see more & more girls want to play football.’
The event was a celebration of women’s sports and an inspiration for young female footballers like Amelia.
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Amelia in action at West Bridgford Colts:
