HAVING once shared the pitch with Olympic bronze medallist Alex Danson, Dorchester hockey star Tara Chittenden is determined to get her hands on silverware of her own at the 2015 Sainsbury’s 2015 School Games.

The 17-year-old has been picked to represent England Girls White at the multi-sport event for the UK’s elite young athletes in Manchester next week.

Chittenden has already represented her country before with the England Under-16 squad while she regularly plays for Bournemouth.

The experience of playing with England and Great Britain’s Danson in a promotional match is also on the young star’s CV while she is motivated to reach the top after watching London 2012.

Injury has meant a disrupted pre-season however, but Chittenden is confident she can return to full fitness in time to leave her mark in Manchester.

“It feels amazing to have been given the opportunity to represent England again and I hope to do my country proud,” she said.

“I feel very privileged to have the chance to be part of the School Games and I can’t wait to get on the pitch.

“This competition is very important to the team and to me as we have all been working hard to be selected to play in the Games and we want to do each other and ourselves proud.

“I felt honoured to play with Alex Danson, she was so encouraging, supportive, and a real inspiration. She is a role model and an amazing player.

“I was inspired by the London 2012 Olympics when I watched the GB men and women play, especially Danson and Kate Richardson- Walsh.”

Returning from injury is not something new for the Thomas Hardye School pupil, who previously broke her finger and could not play for almost two months.

However, she thought it was a blessing in disguise as she got the chance to turn her focus and revise for her GCSEs.

The midfielder, who can also operate as a forward, used to play national tennis until the age of 12 but decided to switch to hockey as she was more intrigued by team sports.

“I made the difficult decision to ‘retire’ from national tennis as I needed to consider my future and the effect playing tennis was having on my family,” she added.

“I felt it was a brave decision especially at such a young age. Taking part in any sport at a high level requires commitment as a family.

“When I decided I was more suited to hockey my family supported me fully with this change of direction as an athlete.”

  • The Sainsbury’s 2015 School Games, which is supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust, takes place in Manchester from September 3-6. Visit 2015schoolgames.com for more information.