Former Maidstone Hockey Club star Lauren Penny is dreaming of Olympic glory at London 2012 after being handed an international lifeline by her home country South Africa.

The 25-year-old - who spent three seasons at South Road after relocating to the UK from Cape Town - has been called into the South Africa fold.

The former under-14 and under-16 South African international thought her chance of international recognition had gone after making her home in London but she has been included in a training camp squad after impressive performances for Slough in the National Premier Division.

She will now travel with the SA squad to India for an Olympic Qualifying event in New Delhi between February 15 and 25.

She said: "I never thought this would be able to happen what with my work over here but to be able to play for your country is always a dream come true.

"We have already earned a place at London 2012 but the committee have decided we have to prove ourselves at a higher standard than the African qualifiers.

"We are the top-ranked team so all being well we should go through. Playing at London 2012 would be amazing, especially as I live and work here."

Penny added: "It would be an amazing achievement if we could win a medal but you never know at the Olympics, anything is possible. Everyone wants to play their best on the biggest stage."

Penny revealed she still has a soft-spot for her first club in England and said: "I spent three happy years at Maidstone after coming over and made a lot of my best friends there.

"It's always the first result I look out for and I'd love to be able to go back there one day."