SUNDERLAND striker Beth Mead has spoken of her joy at being able to live her dream of being a footballer in the spotlight after she was named in the England squad for the first time.

The Teesside University student, who combines full-time study with a professional football career, finished the season as top scorer in the Women’s Super League and was rewarded with the call-up earlier this week.

Mead, in her final year studying BA (Hons) Sports Development, is on the University’s Elite Athlete Scheme and helped to promote the national FA Girls’ Football Week last week, with events around the country designed to provide more opportunities for girls to get involved in football.

The 20-year-old, originally from Whitby, has backed the campaign and encouraged more girls to have the belief they can make it as professionals in the sport.

“Women’s football is getting a lot bigger and the World Cup earlier this year had a massive impact,” said Mead. “The team showed so much desire and commitment – they wanted to do the country proud and that is what people like to see.

“The women’s game is getting more media attention and television coverage and young girls are getting more interested. It used to be a dream for girls that football could be a job but now it is a reality.”

Mead started playing at the age of six when her mother took her to a boys’ session to help her burn off some energy. “It had a massive impact on me and I was playing competitively from an early age,” she said.

“Sunderland are a great club and for me it was an easy decision to join them. I’ve never looked back – I have won three league titles and am playing in the top league in the country.”

Mead, who scored 12 goals in WSL 1, was overlooked for last month’s Euro 2017 qualifier with Estonia but has worked her way in this time around along with Chelsea’s uncapped trio Hannah Blundell, Laura Coombs and Drew Spence.

They will hope to earn first England caps against China and Australia next week. Mead joins Sunderland team-mate Rachael Laws in Mark Sampson’s squad.