Mia Cruickshank, 13, with former Cherries player Dennis Bushby
RISING soccer star Mia Cruickshank teamed up with a former Cherries player when she visited a Poole care home recently.
The 13-year-old has just been selected for the Under 15s England National Performance Camp (NPC). The NPC replaces the existing regional Elite Performance Camps from this September.
Mia plays for her school, Poole High, and also the Hampshire FA Centre of Excellence Under 15 squad. Three years ago she hit the headlines after scoring 12 goals during Longfleet’s 19-0 win over Weysports in the Dorset Under-11 Girl’s Cup. Mia’s mum Sue, a healthcare assistant at Colten Care’s The Aldbury home in Poole, said, “It’s a huge achievement and we’re all very proud.”
Mia, who has played football since the age of four, added, “I couldn’t believe it when the email about the camp came through. It’s amazing.”
To mark Mia’s success, Sue arranged for her daughter to meet former Cherries player Dennis Bushby, a resident at The Aldbury. Dennis, who is now 81, played for Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic Football Club (later renamed AFC Bournemouth) in the late 1950s followed by a season at Peterborough, before returning to play for Poole Town in the Southern League. Dennis was also player/manager at Parley Sports and played for Christchurch and Ringwood where he went on to become manager.
Sue said: “Dennis is a great character and still wears his football shirt with pride. It was lovely that Mia, who in many respects is at the start of her soccer career, was able to meet someone who is still remembered by those who followed AFC Bournemouth in the 1950s.”
Sue is currently seeking sponsorship to help fund Mia’s travel costs. If you would like to help, please email suecruickshank73@gmail.com
