A SCHOOLGIRL from Darlington has fought off tough competition to gain a place at a regional netball academy.

Caitlin Keenan, a year 7 pupil at Polam Hall School, has been selected to join the South Durham and Cleveland Regional Netball Academy’s regional development one squad, which trains in Sunderland.

She was picked to join the 14-strong squad after impressing judges as she competed against 34 other competitors in an intense six hour netball trial.

“I’m really happy to have become a part of the South Durham and Cleveland Regional Netball Academy, and I can’t thank Polam Hall enough for putting me forward for the trials," she added.

"It’s exciting to join the regional development one squad and to think about what the future may now hold for me.”

Sue Wood, PE teacher at Polam Hall School, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to say that one of our pupils is in the South Durham and Cleveland Regional Netball Academy. We now wish her the best success for the future.”