TEENAGER Samantha Sullivan has described her pride after learning she’ll be part of the Team Bath National Premier League squad this season.

The 18-year-old former Abbeyfield School pupil will now play at the highest level of netball her club offer for her age group when she teams up with Team Bath’s national squad.

“I am very proud of myself for achieving this, especially because I suffered an injury. I tore the outer ligaments in my ankle and I was unable to play for 10 weeks in May,” said the Chippenham teenager.

“To now be a part of the National Premier League is a huge achievement for me and I came out of my second trial knowing that I had done everything I possibly could.”

Despite the step up, the goalkeeper, who is now entering her seventh season with Team Bath, isn’t nervous about the season ahead.

“I love a challenge and therefore I find this quite exciting. I can’t wait to see how I play against some of the tougher teams in the league,” she added.

“The shooters are going to be taller and tougher than they have been at lower leagues. I am a GK, and a small one at that, at a height of 5ft 9in.

“Most of the shooters I am going to come up against this season are going to be 6ft and over, and this comes with added contact and strength behind them.

“At this level, experience can really make a difference to a team and having that extra bit of knowledge behind them can push them to get the win in games.

“National Premier League is the highest squad that Team Bath provides. I’d like to think training and playing at this level will give me the experience I need to play Super League in the future.

“My ultimate aim, which I’ve had since starting playing netball, is to represent my country.”