Fareham ace ‘overwhelmed’ by England selection
Yasmin Parsons
YASMIN PARSONS is celebrating her call up to the England under-21 squad.
The 18-year-old, who has linked up with Superleague outfit Team Bath, caught the eye of selectors at the trials back in December.
And now she has been named in the squad for the European Championship in Northern Ireland.
Parsons, who was England under-17s captain, revealed she was ‘over whelmed’ by her selection for the competition in March.
The Fareham starlet said: ‘After a long weekend of trials, I was given a letter congratulating me on getting into the England under-21s.
‘I will therefore represent my country in the European Championships in March.
‘I was overwhelmed at being selected into this age group.
‘It is something I have always wanted.
‘And I feel I am just one step away from achieving my overall dream – to play for the national side some day.’
Parsons has already pulled on an England under-21s vest – taking on sides from Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in an invitational event earlier this month.
‘We had a successful tournament coming second to the Scotland national seniors,’ she said.
‘I was also chosen to captain the squad for that weekend so I was very happy.’
While Parsons is now focusing on the forthcoming tournament in Northern Ireland, she has one eye on an even greater prize next year.
Following the European Championships, a squad will be selected for the World Youth Championships in 2013.
And she is excited about what the future holds.
‘Hopefully I will be named in the squad,’ she said.
‘Overall I am very excited about this year and what potential it holds for me and my netball.’
Parsons has already represented England at under-17 and under-19 level – skippering the younger age group to victory at the European Championship in March 2009.
She was also named player of the tournament.
The south-coast talent has also started university this year and has helped her British Universities & Colleges Sport team chalk up an unbeaten record, while also making the Superleague squad at Team Bath.
The Superleague is the top level of club netball in the country and regularly televised on Sky Sports.
‘I have reached my target of being selected and the training is changing me for the better,’ she added.
Parsons started playing netball in junior school and – aged 11 – was selected to represent Fareham in the Hampshire Youth Games.
From there, she linked up with Ros Bellamy at Fareham Fireflys.
The Fareham teenager also represented Weston Park in the Southampton League at under-14 level.
She helped them qualify for the national finals – repeating the feat two years later as an under-16.
Parsons has played for Bournemouth Blades in Premier League 1 for three years.
She is on the lookout for sponsorship, too. If you can help, email Yasmin on netballyp@hotmail.com
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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