BRISTOL twins Alice and Samantha Shaw have secured places in the Indoor Netball Association England Under-21s World Championships squad.
The sisters, 17, who both study A-Levels at St Brendan's College in Brislington, came through a three-day selection process to secure two spots on the 12-woman team ahead of the international tournament, scheduled to take place in Australia in June.
Alice and Samantha, who hail from Stockwood, will join up with the national squad for training camps in different locations around the country every Saturday, before flying out for the start of the international tournament on June 4, a date which is also their 18th birthday.
"It'll be a great way to celebrate our birthday," said Sam.
"We went along for the first trials in Bristol determined to do our best, but we never thought we'd actually make it in to the squad.
"It was a bit nerve-wracking because there were so many girls, but once you start playing all the nerves just went away.
"To get through to the final trials in London, along with 30 other girls from around the country, was a great achievement. To go on and get into the 12-woman squad for Australia is a dream come true. We can't wait to get out there now."
The girls first picked up a netball at the age of eight and play for successful Avon League side Cosmos, who secured promotion last season and are top of League Three this year.
They were drafted into the county squad at the age of 14 while playing for junior team Stockwood under head coach Shirley Green, who fast-tracked them into the adult game and alerted national team selectors to the twins' potential.
"We love playing netball," said Alice. "Our parents took us along when we were little and we have been involved ever since. I felt we did well at the trials, but I was not sure if we'd done enough to make it into the squad.
"To get told we had been selected to represent England was brilliant and is something you don't really ever think about until it happens.
"Our parents and brother and sisters are really proud of us. I'm really happy we both made it through. I don't know how I would have felt if only one of us had made it and the other missed out."
The girls took part in their first national team training session in Essex last weekend and are will return to the South East for another one on Saturday.
Sam added: "The training is intense, but enjoyable. We were both nervous before we went there, but the rest of the girls on the team are really nice, so that helped us settle in.
"We're now just concentrating on putting in the hard work to try to secure a starting spot on the team. It's not easy because all the girls in the squad play to a very high standard."
Alice added: "I think our team has a good chance of doing well at the tournament, although Australia are definitely the side to beat. We'll just go there and do our best and see what happens after that."
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