Anyone for rounders? How Mildenhall’s Pippa Palmer has made England Under-19s team

When Pippa Palmer picked up a rounders bat at the age of nine, she fell in love with the game.

And she enjoys it so much that she has now gone on to win a place in the England Under-19s squad.

The 20-year-old, from Mildenhall, said that when her school entered a local tournament: 'I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the competitive nature of the sport, so from there I continued to play at my secondary school.'

She went on to become the captain of the first team at King's School, Ely before deciding to enter a trial for the England team.

The sports-mad youngster, who is studying sports coaching at West Suffolk College, now travels to Corby twice a week to play with the rest of her team.

'Being in the squad feels amazing,' she said.

'We are adapting as a team as we have just started playing together for this season. We are not used to each other as we have different techniques and abilities but we bond well together and make a great team.'

She feels rounders is a great game because: 'It's easy to set up, fully inclusive and safe to play.

'Rounders promotes team work, communication and decision-making amongst young people.'

She is now hoping her skills will help her progress to the main England team.