SIXTEEN-year-old Keely Watt, from New Longton, is ready and eager to start the new lacrosse season with high hopes.

Having been introduced to lacrosse at Penwortham Girls High, Keely joined Timperley Lacrosse Club (Altrincham) two years ago.

Now the Preston College Sports Scholarship student is balancing the first year of her A levels with a lacrosse career which is definitely going places.

The season has just kicked off with the first leg of the County Championships. Keely will be among the players hoping to be noticed and selected to join the North Territorial team and from there the selection for the national team will be made.

Keely's proud father, Gary Watt, having coached the Preston North End girl's team, knows all about the commitment involved for up-and-coming sportspeople.

He said: "Keely has had to make a lot of sacrifices, with three trips a week to Altrincham, or further, for matches and training. Keely has also had to fit in County and Regional training and matches. All this while focusing hard and achieving good GCSE results."

Last year Keely had quite a successful season helping Timperley complete a brilliant treble, winning three championships.

She captained the victorious U16s and was a key ever-present player in both the league winning U19s and Seniors Teams. The Senior Championship was particularly satisfying being that it was the first ever Timperley senior ladies team.

Keely played her second year for Lancashire A where they won the U18s North of England Championship. From that Keely was selected and played for Junior North of England who finished a creditable fourth.