A top footballer from Oxford has scored a place at one of the top universities in the US for women’s soccer.

Georgia Brown completed her A-Levels at Oxford High School before starting at Hofstra University in New York.

The midfielder is studying bioengineering and described how she is excited explore nearby New York City and to ‘experience a different culture and country, and meet people from all across the world’.

She said: “I think the universities in America provide a better balance between football and education. The opportunity allows me to train more often and challenge my football potential without having to sacrifice my academics.

“The universities are used to working with student-athletes and that will hopefully put me in the best position to be able pursue both football and academics to the highest level I can.”

Oxford Mail: Georgia with her Hofstra teammates (Adam Flash)Georgia with her Hofstra teammates (Adam Flash)

In terms of women’s football, Georgia is inspired by England midfielder Jill Scott, who has 150 England caps.

She said: “To be able to maintain such a high standard of play for that duration of time is incredible.

“Everyone always seems to speak highly of her character and personality as well, which I also think is just as important."

Georgia achieved three A*s in chemistry, biology and physics, grades she originally aimed for and put ‘a lot of work’ in to achieve.

She said: “I am proud that I managed to achieve those grades alongside playing a high level of football and participating in several other extra-curricular activities as it required a lot of time-management.”

Georgia, who has been capped by the Scotland under19s team, added the school and her teachers were ‘very supportive’ throughout the pandemic, as they ‘very quickly overcame the challenges of remote learning’ to keep students engaged with the curriculum.

She added: “They were also especially helpful with my university applications to the US as the process is slightly different to applying to UK universities.”

On advice to other girls who want to get involved in sport, Georgia would ‘highly recommend’ it.

She said: “It is a great way to socialise and meet new people and you learn so many other skills from playing sport that help in all walks of life.

“The main thing I would say about playing sport though is to just have fun.

“You don’t have to have aspirations of being a pro athlete to get involved, and even if you do, make sure you still get the same enjoyment as that will only help better your performance.”