HOURS of gruelling training sessions have paid off for a rising Greenock netball player who hopes to star for Scotland in an upcoming major European tournament.

Teenager Emma Mitchell has secured a place in the Scotland under-17 squad after coming through a rigorous selection process and she is now preparing to take to the court against England, Ireland and Wales.

She will travel to Hull for the three-day Netball Europe U17 Championships, which begin on Friday.

The 16-year-old, from Luss Avenue, will be vice captain of her country and is over-the-moon to net her first cap.

She said: “It is one of the best feelings in the world.

“It proves that if you set goals, work hard and stick to them you can get a good outcome.

“Knowing that the past few years of hard work have paid off is a relief.” The Notre Dame High pupil, who trains with Clyde Netball Club, only took up the sport a few years ago.

Her proud mum Sharon said: “Emma was a keen runner and was the under-13 Scottish cross country champion.

“Her running coach Janice Hendrie was also the PE teacher at her school and she noticed that Emma also had a talent for teamwork, so she suggested that she should consider playing netball.

“She played for the school team and then joined Clyde Netball.

“We’re so proud of her, she’s worked really hard to get to where she is.

“As well as training with her team, Emma has also carried out extra fitness work like running and going to the gym.

“Even during her exams she kept her training up.” The teen has been involved in Netball Scotland’s Development Centre over the last two years and was selected for a trial with the under 17s in June last year.

Since then she has progressed through two more selection cuts before finally securing her place on the team.

Clyde Netball coach Claire Munn is thrilled for Emma and says her call up is well-deserved.

She said: “Emma has matured so much over the last few years.

“She hasn’t always been successful in selections but this has made her more determined to work harder.

“Her work rate is immense and she is always keen to learn and push on.

“She has had to make sacrifices in her social life to train and compete at the highest level.” Emma was keen to thank Claire and all the other coaches including Elizabeth Miller, Ann Clark and Rebecca Munn.

She also praised her mum Sharon, dad Craig and sisters Ainsley and Eve for their support, as well as all her friends.