AN AMBITIOUS Malvern youngster has set her sights on playing in the lacrosse World Cup after again being picked to represent the national team in a major competition.

Sporty sixteen-year-old Katie Sloane, who is studying A-levels at Malvern College in the town's College Road, has played lacrosse for five years.

And she is now over the moon after recently being selected to play with the national team in the National Cup competition in Prague in the summer.

It comes after the talented teenager's success over Christmas when she trained with the England squad and played for the country's under-19 team.

As well as it being a great honour, the tournament in Prague will provide Sloane with invaluable experience against international opposition in the build-up to the Lacrosse World Cup in 2007.

She said: "It will take a great effort to be selected to play for England in the World Cup but I will try to keep improving and hope to be considered."

Sloane has played lacrosse since she was at the college's junior school, Malvern College Prep School, and has previously been vice-captain of her school team, playing the midfield position of right defence.

She was first picked for the national squad at the age of 14 after being talent-spotted at a sports camp run by the English Lacrosse Association and is the first pupil from the college to be selected to play for them.

The college's head of lacrosse, Sue Close, said she was delighted for Katie, who currently helps train the younger pupils in lacrosse and is planning to go to America to play the sport and study after college.

Close added: "She is such a dedicated, committed player and so this is a really fantastic reward for all her efforts.

"She gives up a lot of time for the sport and her whole pathway in her life has really been down this route."

Meanwhile, six regional lacrosse teams from across the country converged on Malvern Girls' College to take part in a national tournament.

The East, North, South, West, Midlands and Wales teams all took part in the event at the Avenue Road college. Hundreds of visitors watched in the cold, many commenting on the beauty of Malvern on a bright winter's day.

The East team won four matches and drew one match to win the tournament with the midlands team starting well but ending fourth.

Four students from Malvern Girls' College -- Ellie Robbins, Tina Goodwin, Satpriya Marwaha and Charlie Allan -- took part as members of the Midlands team, with the girls being on form and scoring several goals.

Jackie Marks, PE teacher at Malvern College, said: "It was an excellent day with all teams playing to win against fierce competition."