Jade Bailey (footballer)

Jade Bailey is a women's association footballer for Arsenal L.F.C. and England Under 17s. She was involved in the final stages of the 2012 Summer Olympics torch relay.

Early life
Bailey started playing football at age 6 for a Sunday league team. The team did not allow mixed-gender teams from age 11, so Bailey got a trial with Arsenal, started training with them, and was spotted by England scouts.

Bailey says she admired footballers Ashley Cole and John Terry, then later Arsenal and England captain Faye White.

Career
She was given a scholarship and a two-year professional contract by Arsenal ladies football team.

Olympic Games
She was on the prow of the boat containing David Beckham and was holding the Olympic torch that was ferried to Steve Redgrave during the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony. Her part was congratulated by Faye White via Twitter. She was then interviewed by the BBC's children's news program "Newsround" about the event and pointed out that Beckham drove the boat for most of its journey but didn't get to park it.

International career
Bailey made her début for England's under-17s on 3 October 2010 against Turkey as a defender although she had been an unplayed substitute in the matches against Italy and Serbia earlier that year. She was chosen by kit manufacturer Umbro in 2010 as one of the next generation of England's footballing stars.