ROLLER hockey star Jamie Williamson is preparing for the World Junior Championships in Chile this month.

The 17-year-old Herne Bay goalkeeper has been selected for the England team for the 16-country event and is due to start in the opening game of the tournament against hosts and favourites Chile in front of 6,000 people in San Miguel on November 24.

Williamson’s appearance in a World Championship event is all the more remarkable considering he only took up the sport three years ago.

He said: "I used to watch a friend play at Herne Bay and decided to give the sport a go. It just happened I got good at it quite quickly.

"I had England schoolboy trials in my first season and missed out on selection but I came back the following year and made the team.

"Now I’m in my third season and am playing for England Under-21s in a World Championships. It’s quite a daunting prospect but also exciting."

England are in a group with Chile, Portugal and Ecuador and progress to the knockout stages would be seen as a major achievement.

Full story in this week's Kentish Gazette