A YOUNGESTER has been selected to represent Great Britain in Roller Hockey with his Atherton team.

Jake Holding, aged 12, will be flying to Los Angeles to compete in the AAU championships.

The team, which practise at Atherton Roller Rink, has previously competed in the championships, two years ago and won a gold medal and copper medal in the Junior Olympics.

But this year is the first time Jake will compete since recovering from a knee injury which stopped him from playing last year and nearly saw his roller hockey dreams dashed.

His mum Dawn who is part owner of the Atherton and Wigan roller rinks with husband Gary, said: "We are really proud of him, he did it two years ago and he was supposed to do it last year but he had a really serious injury and fractured his knee and he had to have it screwed and pinned.

"It could have ended his hockey playing but he has come back and he has managed to do the training before the competition so he can go.

"We are really proud of him- he has come a long way."

Six teams including the age 10, 14, 16, 18 and under 23's, from Atherton Roller Rink, will join the 12's team in America which will see them compete against teams such as Hong Kong, USA and Canada over 11 days starting on July 9.

The teams of five, will play up to two games a day in hot conditions battling it out to win a gold, silver, bronze or copper medal.

Year Seven Birchall High School student Jake, who lives in Abram, said he cant wait to compete again.

Jake added: "I am really excited because it has been a long struggle getting back from injury but I think this year is going to be really good because we have got a really good team and I have got bigger and better at the sport.

"It's a really fun and an amazing sport and all that I can dream of doing."

Atherton Roller Rink teams train on Monday night at 6pm and new members are welcome.

For more information contact Atherton Roller Rink on 01942 878 778 or email info@athertonrollerrink.com