Spurs Ladies player Eartha Pond shortlisted for Global Teacher Prize

Spurs Ladies defender Eartha Pond has been shortlisted for the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize 2018.

A physical education and sports teacher from The Crest Academy, Neasden, where she is also Assistant Vice-Principal, Eartha has made it into the final 50 from over 30,000 applicants from 173 countries worldwide.

The shortlist of 50 will be narrowed down to 10 by the Prize Committee and announced in February, 2018.

The winner will be named from that final 10 at the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai on Sunday 18 March, 2018.

At The Crest Academy, Eartha, 34, runs a 'Girls Allowed Club' - a multi-sports enrichment club allowing young women to be empowered and build self-esteem through interaction in a relaxed yet vibrant environment.

She has also helped raise over £100,000 for survivors of the Grenfell Tower disaster.

On the pitch, Eartha, a strong, skilful centre-half with an eye for pass and shot, joined Spurs Ladies in 2014 after playing at the highest level of domestic football for the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton.

Her experience has proved invaluable in the most successful period of the team's history over the last couple of seasons culminating in promotion from the FA Women's Premier League to the Women's Super League this year.

"In football terms, she has been a massive influence in our dressing room and played such an important role in our journey over the last few seasons," said Spurs Ladies manager Karen Hills, who is also our Girls & Women's Development Officer.

"This is such a massive achievement for her and says so much about her as an individual. We are all so proud of her."