SHANNON Dukes from Penrhyndeudraeth is no stranger to hard work.

As well as studying for her A-levels on Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor’s Pwllheli campus, Shannon plays in the left back position for Wales’ Under 19s Football Squad as well as for Everton’s Over 16s Development Squad, which is just one below Everton’s first team.

Shannon started out playing for Penrhyndeudraeth Juniors when she was just six years old.

Her father is also a keen footballer as are two of her brothers, but Shannon said that the only reason she went along initially was because her friends were already in the team.

She found that she loved it and had a natural gift playing in the left back position.

Her passion for the sport and total focus has brought Shannon a long way in 10 years: as well as playing for her country, Shannon practices three times a week at Everton as well as playing a game each weekend there against teams such as Liverpool, Sunderland and Durham.

She is currently in a tournament, as part of her Wales Under 19s work, to attempt to qualify to play in the next Euros. The next round will be this April, when the Wales team will compete against other teams in Portugal.

Hard-working Shannon said: “My dream would be to get a professional footballing contract. I am however also totally dedicated to my academic work at college. My parents are fully behind me, but they have said that if I am going to continue to play football, then I must still be on top of my college work.

“It’s a lot of work, but I want to do well in both my football and A levels. I would recommend a sport like this to anyone as I have made many friends all over the UK as well as internationally. It opens so many doors.

“I always keep in mind the importance of my coursework, however, and I think the discipline I have as a result of playing football at a high level means I am able to stay really focussed on my studies.”