Ben Clayden is chosen for the England Under 25 Trailblazers netball squad to compete in the Nations Cup in Singapore
A talented netball player has taken the next step towards reaching the pinnacle of his sport.
Ben Clayden - who lives in Morton, near Bourne - has been chosen for the England Under 25 Trailblazers squad for their trip to compete in the Nations Cup in Singapore later this year.
The 22-year-old has retained his place in the squad after a successful trial and his selection for the trip moves him closer to earning a call-up to the senior ranks of the England Thorns.
He explained: "It's a mega opportunity which I can't wait for and I'm absolutely thrilled by it.
"I've been told that Singapore is an amazing place to go and I'm really looking forward to it because there has been a lot of hard work to get to where I'm at the moment.
"This is probably the halfway point of my end goal which is to gain a place in the men's squad for the England Thorns."
Ben had started out in his career by playing regularly at the Bourne-based Sports and Shorts Netball Club which is run by his mum Lorna before taking the next step in the sport.
He joined up with the Norfolk United team for the England Men's & Mixed Netball Association national finals where he has helped the club secure sixth and fourth place finishes in the past two seasons.
The goal-shooter and goal-attack has also been attending weekly training sessions with the Trailblazers in preparation for their Singapore trip.
Ben added: "I had been playing at my mum's clubs for a number of years but that wasn't at any sort of level.
"I got asked to join a mixed team last year and then, two days before the tournament, they asked me to go into the men's team which I was happy to do.
"We've put a lot of effort into getting where we are and it's a sport that I absolutely love.
"There was a point not too long ago where I was playing six times a week and, with the England training as well, there is a lot of travelling involved."
Ben - who works for the Bourne-based Gary's Gardens Tree Care - has to self-fund his career and regular travels to Derby, Manchester, Coventry and Bromsgrove for matches and training.
He also has to fund the cost of the trip to Singapore and would welcome any backing from sponsors or businesses.
The former Bourne Westfield and Bourne Academy pupil heads out to Singapore on November 27 with the tournament running from December 2-8.
Anyone interested in backing Ben can email his mum Lorna at lornaclayden1967@outlook.com for further information.