The England women’s football team are currently preparing for their crucial semi-final game against Japan in Edmonton, Canada.
After a narrow defeat against France in their opening game, England hit the ground running in their remaining group games against Mexico and Columbia, beating both sides 2-1 and securing a place in the knock-out rounds. They then beat Norway in the last 16 and went on to make history by defeating hosts Canada in the quarter-final, with goals from Lucy Bronze and Jodie Taylor.
Head coach of the England team and former manager of Bristol Academy WFC, Mark Sampson, has proved that his team and staff have the character and work ethic to succeed on the big stage. Sampson was the manager of local Bristol Academy for five years, taking his team to two FA cup finals, two UEFA Champions League campaigns and a second place finish in Women’s Super League 1. During his time at Bristol, the club were renowned for their team spirit and incredible local support, which has clearly been transferred into the players and staff in the England set up.
England goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain also spent part of her career at Bristol from 2005-2007 and then from 2010-2013. She played every minute of every game during her second stint at the club and was a key part of Bristol’s 
success. Her talent and hard work was acknowledged by two-time WSL champions Arsenal and she joined the Gunners in 2013.
Chamberlain made her England senior debut in 2004 and has now been involved in three world cup competitions (2007, 2011 and 2015). Chamberlain made her first appearance of the 2015 world cup in the quarter-final game against Canada, after Karen Bardsley was taken off injured. She came on in the 52nd minute, keeping a clean sheet and making sure England progressed to the next round.
England now face reigning champions Japan on Thursday 2nd July at 12am in their biggest game of the campaign so far. #thisgirlcan