SANDY MacIver's selection is not the one she would have wanted – but she is off to the Olympic Games this summer.

The Everton FC goalkeeper, a former Weaverham High School student, has missed the cut of 18 players who will represent Team GB in Tokyo.

But Everton's newly crowned young player of the year is named as one of four reserves who will travel with Hege Riise's squad, which will see her play a part in training and helping the team prepare as best as they can for the challenges ahead.

And the 22-year-old, who this week nine years ago was a torch carrier during the 2012 London Olympics relay as it was taken through Chester, will also be contributing to inspiring the next generation of female athletes in this country.

Mark England, Team GB Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020 – the Games delayed a year because of the coronavirus pandemic – said: “Having an opportunity to field a women’s football team in Tokyo, for only the second time in our Olympic history, is incredibly exciting.

“Team GB is on the cusp of making history this summer as we are on track to qualify more female than male athletes for the Games for the very first time and I am sure that as we saw at London 2012 the team will help to inspire a new generation of girls and young women wanting to play the sport.”

The two keepers picked ahead of MacIver, who was player of the match in Everton's FA Cup Final defeat by Arsenal at Wembley, are 2012 Olympian Karen Bardsley from Washington-based OL Reign and Ellie Roebuck from Manchester City.

Head coach Riise, who won gold with Norway at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and has selected 10 Manchester City players in her 18, said: “I know first-hand as a former player just how proud my players will feel at having been selected to represent Great Britain.

"There is no greater sporting occasion in the world and I am honoured to lead this hugely talented team into the Games.

"We will go there aiming to win and we will give everything we have to achieve success."

MacIver started out at Winsford Over 3 FC as a six-year-old.

She came through the Crewe Alexandra academy and spent time at Everton and Manchester City before moving to the USA to study in 2016.

Upon graduation MacIver rejoined Everton and made her debut for the Toffees in a 3-1 Women’s Super League win over Reading in January 2020.

* Team GB women's football squad for Tokyo 2020: Karen Bardsley (OL Reign), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City), Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Steph Houghton (Manchester City), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Sophie Ingle (Chelsea), Kim Little (Arsenal), Jill Scott (Manchester City), Keira Walsh (Manchester City), Caroline Weir (Manchester City), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Nikita Parris (Olympique Lyonnais), Georgia Stanway (Manchester City), Ellen White (Manchester City). Reserves: Sandy MacIver (Everton), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Ella Toone (Manchester United).