A Willenhall 16-year-old is punching above her weight on the netball court after being called into the England under-19 squad.

Teenager Laura Malcolm has been selected on the back of her performances for Dudley Leisure netball club. Laura, who attends Thomas Telford School, in Telford, already plays for her club’s under-19s side and has helped them reach the national finals in Bournemouth in November for the first time.

The team booked their date on the south coast by beating off competition from eight other teams, including south Staffordshire rivals Wanderers, in the regional rounds, held at the Walsall campus of Wolverhampton University.

Coach Chris Groves said Laura, who can play in both defence and centre court positions, deserved her call up.

The Dudley Leisure club has ben running for more than 30 years and the next step for Laura will be to play in the nationwide Premier Netball League for her club, with the first team having so far won two and lost one of their opening three fixtures.

The club, which trains at Manor High School, at Friar Park Road, in Wednesbury, is currently on the look out for more under-14 players to join their ranks.

For further information contact Lindsay Male on 01384 274933.