Teenage forward Rosie Shipp says she is relishing the opportunity as Kernow FA gear up for the inaugural CONIFA Women’s World Cup.
The groundbreaking tournament, designed for association football teams not affiliated with FIFA, was due to have been played for the first time ever in 2021 but had to be postponed due to the continued fight against covid-19.
Shipp – who singles out BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year Vivianne Miedema, as one of her idols – is one of a number of Cornish youngsters hoping to get the nod and travel to Tibet for July’s six-day competition.
The Plymouth Argyle U-23s’ ace certainly emulates the pair’s playing style in her own game, often posting videos of her silky skills either at home or on the pitch to an Instagram following of nearly 16,000 and it may not be long until she has the chance to show that talent to a far wider audience.
Shipp said: “Playing internationally with Kernow means so so much to me. I’ve always dreamt of playing football in a different country with a team so I feel this is going to be an exciting opportunity to experience football somewhere else in the world.
“I’m going to take the opportunity to develop as a player through getting game time in a high level of football.
“Kernow FA seem really committed to women’s football, this is made apparent to me because of the opportunities that have been offered to both male and female teams. It proves that they’re committed to helping women’s football.
“My goal this season was to stay consistent and to keep developing and improving my own individual performance as there is always something to be working on. I would love to keep aiming high and working on my weaknesses as well as gaining experience playing games.”
The Kernow Football Alliance aim to build a range of inclusive international football teams to share and celebrate Cornish culture around the world.
They are members of CONIFA, an acronym for the Confederation of Independent Football Associations, who will hold their Women’s World Football Cup from Friday 1 July until Wednesday 6 July, at the Paonta Choslum Tibetan Settlement.
Teams in the tournament will be confirmed after 31 March, with the draw ceremony scheduled for 24 April.
