THORNBURY netball star Millie Grey is looking forward to challenge ahead after she was called up to the England under-19 squad.

In March, Grey represented her country for the first time when she helped England under-17s win a European tournament in Gibraltar, and she followed that up with a successful trial for the next age group up.

The Castle School pupil, who only turned 17 last week, will go on a summer camp with the squad and is hopeful of getting re-selected for the long squad where she will take part in monthly training weekends.

Next January the short squad that goes to take part in the European tournament will be announced but as the second youngest member in the squad, Grey is taking it all in her stride.

“It’s a big step up to what I’m playing at the moment, a lot of the other players are more experienced,” she said.

“It’s going to be hard but it should be a good challenge.”

Grey plays Premier League netball for Roman Glass and for Team Bath under-19s, who represent the South West in the National Talent League.

She is ambitious to go as far as possible but admitted she never expected so much success so fast and was delighted to represent her country earlier this year.

She said: “It was amazing to step on court and represent my country, I couldn’t believe it, words cannot describe it.

“I worked so hard but I never thought I’d get there so early.”

Sister Kate Grey has also represented her country as a swimmer, travelling to Beijing for the Paralympic games last year, and Millie revealed how the sibling pair spur each other on.

“She’s inspirational to me,” said Millie of sister Kate.

“We’re really supportive to each other. I went to Beijing to watch her and she comes to watch me in Bath.”