BOURNEMOUTH’S Erin Leonard is set to make history by taking part in the inaugural Women’s Euro Beach Soccer Cup this weekend.

The event kicks off in Cascais, Portugal tomorrow with England playing twice on Saturday against Switzerland (10.15am) and Greece (5pm).

Aged 17, goalkeeper Leonard is the youngest member of England’s squad and is thought to be the youngest competitor at the tournament.

Hosts Portugal take on Spain and the Netherlands in the other group.

On grass, Leonard has progressed through the ranks at the Dorset Player Development Centre and the Hampshire Centre of Excellence as well as representing Wimborne Town’s junior and senior female teams.

Based in Northbourne, the LeAF Academy student will play for New Milton Ladies in the Southern Region Women’s League First Division Southern next season.

Beach football utilises a different style of play to the grass version.

The beach game is played on a far smaller pitch and typically involves a far greater amount of attempts on goal, despite the markedly shorter time length of matches.