ROCHELLE VAUDIN has been signed by Nationwide Women’s Premier League team Bristol Academy. The 19-year-old Guernsey and Sylvans midfielder played for the side, which is affiliated to Bristol Rovers, in a friendly against Portsmouth last weekend. She played for 70 minutes in the centre of the midfield and helped her new team win 4-0 at Fareham Town’s ground.

She was told straight after the match by Bristol coach Gary Green that they wanted her.

The trial was arranged with the help of the Guernsey men’s and former women’s coach, Steve Ogier, who knows Green and was there to watch Vaudin play.

‘Gary Green was talking to Steve after the game and he called me over and asked if I would be interested in playing and asked how much I wanted it, but that I would have to move over and get a job,’ said Vaudin.

‘I was shocked. I didn’t think it would be that soon but I was pleased at the same time.

‘He said that he was pleasantly surprised and that I was better than he thought I would be and that I didn’t look out of place. I felt I played well on the football side of things, but I wasn’t as fit as them.

‘I felt relaxed, although a bit overawed at the start. But after I had a few touches, I felt all right.’

In her new life as a professional footballer she will have to train every Tuesday and Thursday. Matches are on Sundays as Bristol look to build on their fourth place finish last year. It is understood she will be paid £35 per game, peanuts compared to top men’s premiership footballers.

Vaudin leaves the island for Bristol at the end of September. She has a house lined up through one of her new team-mates and she is currently looking for a job in the city.

A Guernsey girl through and through, she is not looking forward to upping roots, but she is looking forward to the challenges ahead.

‘I’m not very good at the leaving bit but it’s an opportunity that I can’t turn down,’ she said.

‘I’m going to go for it. I’m excited.’

Ogier said Vaudin had fitted well into the team during her trial match and that how far she goes is up to her.

‘You wouldn’t have thought she was the trialist,’ he said.

‘She was lacking a bit of fitness which is understandable but she didn’t look out of place. He [Green] said she’s got every chance of making it.

‘It’s an achievement to get this far but now it’s entirely up to her how far she will go.

‘First she has to relocate, which she is doing, and secondly she’s then got to establish herself in the team.

‘But she’s only going to get better. She’s got the attributes to be a very good player.

‘It’s nice to give someone the opportunity to do it. She loves her football but obviously she’s not going to improve in Guernsey.

‘It’s a big move for her but she is following her dream.’