Image source, Ipswich Town Football Club Image caption, Natasha Thomas will travel over to France to play for the Jamaican squad
Connor Bennett
BBC News, Suffolk
A footballer has become the first in her club to receive a call up for a senior national team.
Ipswich Town Women's striker, Natasha Thomas, has been selected to join the Jamaican women's senior squad, nicknamed the "Reggae Girlz".
The 28-year-old forward was eligible for the team due to her Jamaican grandparents.
Thomas, who has a portrait of her grandparents on her shin pads, said: "They would be proud looking down on me."
Despite several Town players representing at youth levels, Thomas is the only player to be selected at a senior level while wearing an Ipswich Town shirt.
"It hasn't quite sunk in," she said.
"I'm sure it will when I'm on the flight to go and play and go into the camp.
"I always dreamt it when I was younger. People always say if you don't dream these things, then they can't come true.
"So make sure you are making those dreams.
"It has all just come at the right time for me and myself and my family."
She added: "Of course I'm nervous, but at the same time, it is a massive opportunity for me and I can't wait to grab it with both hands."
Image source, Contributed Image caption, Thomas plays with pictures of her grandparents on her shin pads
Jamaica travel to international giants France for a friendly on 25 October, with Thomas flying out after the Tractor Girls league cup game against Hashtag United on Sunday.
In an unconventional route into professional football, Thomas came through grassroots level at Waveney from the age of nine before joining Lowestoft Town.
The striker has recently been named the club's all time record appearance maker.
After signing with Town from Lowestoft in November 2015, she marked 217 appearances following a 0-0 draw against Watford.
The club recently marked the occasion by presenting her with an anniversary kit.
She picked out FA Cup runs against WSL sides West Ham and Manchester City, as well as scoring at Portman Road amongst the highlights.
Thomas has since boosted her appearances to 218 following Sunday's game against Plymouth.
Image source, Ipswich Town Football Club Image caption, Thomas was presented with an anniversary kit after becoming the club's all time record appearance maker
Ipswich Town boss for the men's side, Kieran McKenna, told BBC Radio Suffolk Sport the whole team was "proud" of Thomas for her achievements.
"Any interactions I've had with her around the club or the work she does with the foundation, she's a fantastic role model on and off the pitch," he said.
Thomas said she had seen huge growth in the women's set up at the club since joining.
She added: "I've been here for quite a while now and seen the development within the players, coaches and behind the scenes. Even the amount of fans we are getting now.
"One of my goals is to inspire the next generation in Suffolk, in Ipswich and help push the women's game forward.
"I'm trying to push myself and still trying to develop as a player. So I just hope I can carry that on here at Ipswich Town and see where that takes me further."
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