A WARRINGTON teenager is about is savouring her first taste of international sport.

Flying out to Sweden with the England under 16s squad to compete in a prestigious competition caps Jemaine Knott’s rise in handball.

The 16-year-old Birchwood Community High School pupil jetted out to Gothenburg on Thursday to compete in this week’s Partille Cup.

It is the world’s largest international youth handball tournament, involving 20,000 participants in 1,100 teams representing more than 50 countries worldwide.

Jemaine’s mum Haley said: “This is a unique opportunity for Jemaine to play a sport she is passionate about. This will also give her an understanding and knowledge of different cultures between the world’s young players.

“Her interest in handball began at school during her PE lessons with Mrs Jones and she has represented the school in various handball tournaments.

“She has progressed in the sport at Deva Handball Club, Chester, under the watchful eye of coach Gary Kelsall, Stephen Jameson and Jon Kelly where she went on to represent Cheshire at county level.”

The Woolston teen’s selection on to the England squad is well deserved.

Trials have taken place in Wolverhampton and Chester since the beginning of the year and she joins a final squad of 16 in Sweden.

Her sister Annaleigh, aged 20, plays for Olympia Handball Club in London and the University of East London team.