She performs part of footballer in academy (9)

I believe the answer is:

ballerina

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'she performs part' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'of footballer in academy' is the wordplay.
'of' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'BALLERINA' can be found hidden inside 'footballer in academy'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ballerina that I've seen before include "Dancers" , "She's a classical dancer" , "girl from the Kirov?" , "Pavlova?" , "Danseuse" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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