Stonyhurst College netball player Olivia Laking (17) has been selected to play for the NW regional netball academy.

She will also be training with the superleague team, Manchester Thunder.

Olivia is the only player in the regional academy to have been selected from a school team, rather than from a club or county squad.

This is highly unusual and makes her selection even more of an achievement.

Head of Girls Games at the Ribble Valley school Mrs Emma Kay said: “Olivia has been playing netball at Stonyhurst for 7 years and has made huge progress in the sport.

“Her success is thoroughly well deserved – the fact that she is 6ft 3 also helps!”

n A wonder goal from Blessed Trinity’s James Danson was enoug h to defeat Bacup and Rossendale Grammar School to secure a place in the second round of the Under 14 Lancashire Cup.

After a goalless first half, Danson came up with the goods with a 30-yard strike midway through the second half to secure victory.