HIGH Wycombe-based Clan Netball Club are delighted to announce that Steph Marsden has been selected in the Under 21 England Nets Squad for the Indoor Netball World Cup in South Africa this August.

Nets or indoor netball is a faster form of the traditional game. The court is smaller and is played within a high-tension net, meaning that the ball never goes out of play.

It is played as seven and six-a-side and England have three squads - ladies, U21s and mixed.

Kat Ratnapala is head coach at Clans and said: "Steph has been part of a 12-month rigorous selection process and we're so proud of her, not only to make the U21 squad to South Africa, but to be made vice captain. It's an amazing achievement as she is only 17.

"Clan Netball Club also has Phoebe Grey, who is a training partner for the U21 squad. We're very proud of both these outstanding athletes."

Marsden commented: "I'm very proud to be representing England and to be made joint-vice captain was a huge honour.

"I can't wait to go to South Africa. We've been training very hard as a squad and are aiming for gold against the best teams in the world."

Netball is still not a well-funded sport and participation in this World Cup is self-funded. The cost for Marsden to get to South Africa is £3,000.

Clan is very thankful for support from parents, players, schools, local netball teams and leagues, plus the South Bucks Netball Association for their kind donations. The club would also like to thank ENG Sports and The Fitness Space for their support.

Further donations can be made by contacting clannetballsquad@hotmail.co.uk

It is an incredible achievement to represent your country in your chosen sport. Clan Netball is incredibly proud of Marsden and wish her the best of luck.

Marsden is a Year 12 student at High Wycombe School, played netball for Clan since she was 12-years-old and is a part of the U19 Wasps Netball Academy.

She plays netball in the Kingsmead Premier Division and the South Region Adult Divisions.

This will be her first tournament as a part of the England Nets squad.