With Manchester city’s Khiara Keating withdrawing from the squad to facilitate the recovery of a knee injury, Southampton FCs Kayla Rendell has been called up for the lionesses. With this being her first senior call up, and her being the first graduate of Southampton (women) to make this step up onto the senior international stage for England, it is a big moment for her career and the club.
Rendell has been celebrated from day one on the South Coast, leading by example between the posts as the side battled for promotion after promotion. Starting out with the u15s as a product of the academy, she has grown alongside her team. From making her way through the lower tiers in the women’s game, to making consistent appearances through all England youth levels, her strength of character and teachability can be applauded just as much as her performances.
Always learning from mistakes on the rare occasion they are made, whilst also being consistently reliable, has made her one of the strongest assets to this current Saints side.
As the lionesses line up and prepare to face Sweden tomorrow in the first of their European Qualifiers their title defence starts with a bang, and while unlikely to make an appearance the experience will be invaluable for the 22 year old talent. With this call up we can see the seeds start to be sown for the next phase of this England side, and it’s a promising prospect.
Southampton is a gold mine for young English talent, with Ella Morris, Molly Pike and Lucia Kendal also being called up for the U23s in the most recent announcement – it is a truly exciting time to be a Southampton fan, even better if you’re English!
A fan favourite, a player favourite and a stand out club talent – we couldn’t be prouder of our keeper. Kayla, we are all well and truly behind you.
Poppy Deabill
