Bedford netballer selected for the England Roses squad ahead of Commonwealth Games

Now 22, she has risen up through the ranks from Under 17s level to the Under 21s and is thrilled at her call-up to the seniors.

“I was over the moon to get the news that I have been selected into the England Roses squad,” said Ellie, who began playing with Grangers netball club in Bedford.

"It took a few minutes of re-reading the email to realise that I was in the full-time squad and not the Futures programme!

“I’m excited and humbled to have been given this opportunity and so grateful to be a part of the team in the run up to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham later this year - a city I know well, as I was at university there.

"I can’t wait to get stuck in and put all my energy into one thing and see where it takes me in the future.”

The biomedical science graduate also plays Centre or Wing Defence for London Pulse Superleague team.

They are currently third in the table and hoping for a top four spot, which would mean a place in the play-offs at the end of June.

Ellie’s mum Lisa also played for England and coached the Sharnbrook Upper School team which Ellie captained.