Chichester students represent England football teams in Italy

Nicole Robinson and Dylan Jelley have been called up to the England Colleges’ women’s and men’s squads for an international tournament in Italy.

They are competing this week in the Roma Caput Mundi, facing teams from Spain, Italy and Wales during the five-day competition.

Goalkeeper Robinson, who is studying sport at the college, said before the trip: “I’m looking forward to it. It’s a great feeling to represent your country and this is probably my greatest achievement since playing for the college.

“It should be a very good experience. Last year the England squad won the tournament, so there’s a bit of pressure on us this season but I’m excited to get out there.”

For Jelley, a bricklaying student, it is his second time competing in Italy after being called up to the squad in 2019.

He added before departing: “I’m feeling less nervous than last year. We did well, but we’ll be facing different teams this time so we don’t know what to expect.

“The tournament should be good, it’s intense and it’s hard work as the teams are at a high level, but I’m feeling confident ahead of the competition.”

The annual tournament, which brings together some of the best players at Under-19 level, began on Monday.

The men’s side are again being coached by Chichester College lecturer and Chichester City FC coach Darin Killpartrick.

Andrew Green, executive principal of the Chichester College Group, said: “Representing England Colleges is a fantastic achievement, and Dylan and Nicole are the latest players in a long line of Chichester students to be selected.

“We have a great pedigree for football, across all levels, and our students have every opportunity to develop their game and progress in the sport.

“We continue to produce quality players through our academy set-ups, which are going from strength to strength. We wish Nicole and Dylan luck ahead of the competition and know they will do the college proud.”