HE MAY be barely a teenager but pint-sized potter Joshua Stoneham is aiming to take on the world this year as his budding international career continues to blossom.

Back in 2014, Joshua earned a place in the England U18 team at the age of just 11 and last year, the John Bentley School pupil, from Calne, represented his country at the European Blackball Association’s European Championships in Bridlington and Nations Cup in Perth, Scotland, playing for England’s U15 A team.

Now with some international experience under his belt, Joshua will don England colours once again at the 2016 Europeans next week (once again in Bridlington, on April 5-8), aiming to perform well enough to earn a spot at October’s Blackball International World Championships in Killarney, Ireland – and he’ll be doing so with plenty of family support.

Father Luke Stoneham, 39, is also an England player and will be representing his country’s men’s senior B2 team at the Europeans – adult competitions take place on April 10-15 – and he couldn’t be prouder of seeing his ‘little ice man’ make a splash on the international stage.

“When Josh first trialled for England and made the team at that age, he was the youngest in Wiltshire to do it,” said Stoneham Snr.

“He went to two competitions last year, he’s kept his place for this year and he’s looking to push on and make the worlds, which would be an amazing thing for him to achieve.

“I used to be a snooker player and I left school to do it. I used to be Steve Lee’s practice partner and Joshua plays with his son Alfie.

“I work in Kent so I don’t actually get to practice with him all that much but he still manages to perform in competitions. He’s just so steely and he’s like a little ice man.

“You have to be in an A team to go to the worlds and he likes to joke and remind me of that. He did really well to get in the U18 B team originally but he made the right choice going in the U15s.”

Despite his tender years, Joshua says that he’s managed to fight off the nerves ahead of his latest international foray.

“I was nervous last year but I’ve had a season doing it now and it’s easier because I know the standard,” said the youngster, who is sponsored by Ben Buckwell of BSB Flooring and Carly Defreitas of Reading snooker club.

“(Playing international pool) is pretty crazy but I’m excited. I think I have to get 56 per cent (win percentage) to make the worlds and doing that would be really cool.”

Anyone interested in sponsoring Joshua can contact dad Luke on 07599 699675.