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In her first year at the School of Allied Health Professions and Nursing, Maddie Royer has quickly found her feet in student life, balancing the demands of Therapeutic Radiography and Oncology with a standout debut season for Liverpool University Women’s Football Club.
Maddie has been a driving force for the side who head into the final two games of their league season on the brink of winning two pieces of silverware.
Her tutor, Danny Blair, said: "Maddie is a lovely, polite girl but a real tenacious, box to box midfielder on the pitch.
"I went to watch the team in their win against the University of St Andrews last week and she was brilliant, as were her teammates."
Maddie delivered a standout Player of the Match performance, scoring the third in a 3-0 win at Wyncote Sports Ground.
Tomorrow, Liverpool travel to face Leeds Beckett University in a 5pm kick off at their Headingley Campus. The stakes could not be higher.
Leeds Beckett sit one point clear at the top of the table. Liverpool (who are still unbeaten this season) sit in second place, having inflicted their only defeat of the campaign so far. A win would seal the league title on the final day.
A double within reach
The drama does not end there. On 25th March, Liverpool will travel to Loughborough for the national cup final, where they will face the reigning champions on away soil.
It is the first time in the club’s history that the team has reached the final, marking a landmark moment in what could become a historic double.
For Maddie, the season has been as memorable academically as it has been athletically.
She said: “It’s been a great season so far and we’re still unbeaten. I’ve loved being part of the team as a fresher and the support I’ve received from the Therapeutic Radiography staff has been incredible.
“Yes, we are in contention of doing the double with the league final next week and the cup final at the end of the month. This week, I also started my second placement block as well so its an exciting time for me!"
Maddie also explained how football has provided a positive outlet alongside the demands of her studies: “It’s definitely a positive distraction at times. It gives me a mental break and helps me keep a better balance alongside studying.
"I’ve always enjoyed having football as an outlet, so having it at uni and making some great friends has been a massive help, academically and mentally.”
From Pride Park to Liverpool
Maddie’s football journey began at just eight years old when she played for Pride Park Juniors as the only girl in a local boys’ team. During her first season, she was scouted by Derby County FC, going on to represent the club from under 9s through to the reserves and training with the first team before moving to Liverpool in the summer.
Now balancing clinical placements with title races, Maddie is proving just as composed under pressure in her studies as she is breaking up play and driving forward from midfield.
As Liverpool University Women’s Football Club prepare for a defining week, the School will be cheering her on every step of the way.