Wow! Where do we start? Our very own, Miss Lou Grainger is realising her dreams as she has been selected to represent England for the Indoor Nets World Championships in New Zealand this Summer 2016. Miss Grainger went to trails for the England squad where there were about 150 people and they picked 20 for the long squad. She then had to attend 4 lots of 6 hour training sessions in London before the coaches made a decision on the final travelling squad of 12.

‘Shock was the first emotion that hit me when I received the email that I had been selected for the long squad after trails in London. I was so thrilled! Utter disappointment was the next when during the first training session, I dislocated my finger. I really thought I had blown it! I visited the Salisbury Hospital to see a hand specialist 4 times and worked tirelessly on fitness in between sessions. But without being able to catch a ball, my hopes of reaching the final squad were fast diminishing. In the last session before final selections I decided to go for it - even if it was against the hand specialists wishes. When would I get this amazing opportunity again? I strapped my finger up and did my best. And I’m so glad I did! I have been selected for the Ladies England Indoor Nets Squad to travel to New Zealand for the Indoor Netball World Championships. As you can imagine, I was so, so, so, so excited to have been selected and to be honest I couldn't quite believe it. As you know I lead PE and Games at GBP. I am responsible for making sure that all of the children at our school are excited about health, fitness and sports. I have worked so hard over the last 3 years at school to ensure that our children are getting the opportunities to participate in sports and physical activities… and to inspire them to achieve! I am now so proud that I have been able to tell them my amazing news and hopefully, be an inspiration to them. I hope I have shown them I have a growth mindset - how hard work and determination can really pay off. Dream it, believe it, achieve it!’

Unfortunately for Miss Grainger, there is no funding in Netball so the lucky athletes that have been selected have to self-fund this trip! From plane and train journeys to training, kit, equipment, coaches and everything in between this honour will cost somewhere in the region of close to £5000! So Lou has a ‘go fund me’ page to help raise £4000 of the funds. www.gofundme.com/mxwby5zv Any donation, no matter how much, will be greatly received and in return she promise she will do her best to represent England proudly and come home with a medal. A huge thanks to anyone in advance that decides to help her on her England dream.