VOLLEYBALL players from Priestley College are getting set to represent the north west against the best England has to offer.

After defeating rivals from across the region, the under 18s team will now take part in the AoC Sport National Championship at the University of Nottingham on April 21-23.

While in Nottingham, the Priestley students will face competition from colleges across England and Wales.

Star player Daniel Burrows, a former Birchwood Community High School pupil, has also been named team captain and he says he never expected to make it this far.

He said: “We superseded all expectations by winning the regionals and now we can’t wait to take on the best of the rest.”

Nigel Howells, Priestley’s head of sport, has encouraged the team to take full advantage of the opportunity they have been given.

“We are immensely proud of the volleyball team and their achievements so far,” he said.

“To be representing their college and their region at a national event is a great honour and a memorable opportunity.

“We will be encouraging them to take full advantage of this opportunity while they are in Nottingham.”

Meanwhile, Priestley have enjoyed more sporting success in the boxing ring as 17-year-old Ivan Duniak secured his first belt.

Duniak, who is working towards A-levels in maths, further maths and electronics at the college, won the 69kg weight class at the National Youth Championships in Rotherham.

A split decision victory over Michael Hennessey secured the title for Duniak, who was happy to end a run of bad luck in similar fights.

“He was big, but I was certain I could counter him quite easily because he was slower than me,” he said.

“I’ve boxed for national titles before and missed out on decisions where I felt I had been unlucky so I’m really happy to get this one.

“I obviously have to enjoy it to put all the work in and I do want to make it as a professional,”

Duniak’s dream of becoming a professional boxer has moved a step closer but he has already mixed with illustrious company having previously sparred with former WBO light-middleweight champion Liam Smith.

Steve Nixon, Duniak’s maths tutor at Priestley, said: “It would probably be a surprise to anyone who knows Ivan that he is a boxer because he is quite a quiet lad.

“I think everyone in class enjoyed seeing his belt and wishes him well for the future.”