Ditchingham youngster Elizabeth Way is ready to take the next step to fulfil her dream of becoming a professional footballer after receiving an FA call-up to attend a national training camp this weekend.

The 13-year-old striker has been playing competitive football for more than six years and will be looking to impress coaches at the University of Warwick.

Way started out as a seven-year-old playing for Bungay Girls' U10s before impressing for Sprowston Girls where she was selected for the Norwich City Girls' Centre of Excellence.

Three years ago she was selected to attend weekend training camps in Northampton for elite players in the East Region – one of only two 10-year-olds chosen from across Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Northants. She has been a squad regular ever since.

Stepping up to boys' football, she was top scorer in both her seasons playing for Bungay Town boys before moving to Stoke Holy Cross Boys U13s this season where she has continued to terrorise defences and rattle in the goals.

Way, a Year 8 pupil at Notre Dame in Norwich where she plays for both their girls' and boys' teams, said: 'It will be a great experience to be training alongside the best players in the country from teams like Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool and hopefully I will be able to make a big impression.

'My dream is to play professionally for Arsenal and to represent my country when I am old enough.'

Way, who trains three times a week in Norwich, has recently started training with the Norwich City Boys U13s Elite squad and is relishing the prospect of improving her game.

'The boys' squad play a faster and more physical game and it can only help me to become a better and more competitive player,' she added.

Her coach at Norwich, Connor Kerry of the Community Sports Foundation, based at Carrow Road, agreed that Elizabeth's selection was great news.

'I have seen Elizabeth improve year on year since the age of eight and I'm delighted her talents and hard work have been recognised at national level,' he said. 'Everyone at the CSF wish her the very best for the coming weekend.'