‘A Proud Moment For My Family’ – Draper Discusses First Pro Deal
Leicester City have spent three years in the Barclays Women’s Super League, and now look to continue their on-field developments to improve in a fourth top flight season.
A key foundation of that growth is the development of the youth setup at Belvoir Drive, who claimed two pieces of silverware and a second-place finish in the PGA League Under-21 North division, in their first season as a Tier 1 Pro Game Academy.
Among the glory, and a key part to it, was central striker Draper, who hit 20 goals for the Under-21s, despite missing the last few months of the season with injury. Now back fit for a new pre-season, the English forward is delighted to have been given this opportunity.
“It’s a really proud moment for me and my family,” Draper stated. “Coming through the Academy, it’s what you dream of, and for it to be a reality is an amazing feeling.
“Being in and around the First Team last season helped me a lot and I believe I developed during that period. Coming through the pathway here is really good because it shows other players what’s possible.
“The Academy coaches have been amazing, helping me to grow as a player and a person over the two years before making the jump to the First Team. They’ve been really influential in helping me.”
Draper has of course, spent some time with the senior squad already, making four appearances during the 2023/24 campaign, all of them coming in the WSL. Her debut, a nerve-wracking moment in October of last year when she replaced the Club’s No.9 Lena Petermann in the dying stages of a 1-1 draw with Manchester United.
Talking about her introduction at Leigh Sports Village that day, the forward went on to mention a career highlight for herself – scoring her first professional goal in a convincing 5-2 victory over Bristol City four months later.
“It was a big jump coming into the senior squad,” Draper continued. “The speed of play being the biggest thing that you need to get used to, but once you’re in training every day with the First Team, you do get used to it. All the players and staff made me feel welcome and valued straight away so I’m excited for the new season.
“The environment that the girls create is really welcoming. They made me feel valued straight away. It’s a perfect environment to learn in and keep developing as a player.
“I was really nervous when I made my first ever appearance in the WSL (against Man Utd), but I think the nerves are also excitement and coming on you just want to give it your all, so it was a really proud moment for me.
“I like the pressure, and I like playing with the pressure so to come on and score my first goal against Bristol City later on in the season, it was a really proud moment for me and my family. Especially at King Power Stadium in front of the home fans. It was certainly a highlight of the season.”
Also a recognised goal machine on the international stage, as Draper has featured heavily for various age groups within the Young Lionesses set-up and, the 17-year-old follows a line of Leicester City footballers in her household, with her father Mark playing for the Foxes between 1994 to 1995.
Now ready to kick on, a the feverish young striker looks ahead to the upcoming season, outlining her ambitions, as she targets goal involvements to help the team accomplish their own aims.
Draper added: “Goalscoring comes naturally in a way; it’s about getting in the right positions and taking the chances when they come. I’ve worked really hard over the last few seasons with my finishing and making sure I take them, because when you come to the WSL, you don’t get many.
“My dad (Mark Draper) has been really helpful because he’s been on the same journey as a footballer. He’s taught me everything I know really. Sometimes, he gets on my back if I’ve had a bad game, but he already knows that I know. Most importantly, it’s really good to have all that support from home.
“I’m really excited for the season ahead; I think it’s a great opportunity for me to get as much experience and game time as possible to keep learning and developing. Getting some goal contributions to help the team would also be amazing.”