Three girls from Stanwell School have been selected to be a part of the Wales Girls Under 15s Basketball team.

The pupils were picked as part of a 15 woman lineup:

• Lisa Bell-Jones (Year 10)

• Candice Luceau (Year 10)

• Nia Jones (Year 9)

The team consists of 15 girls ranging in age from 13 to 15, who have completed a vigorous trial process to form the elite national team for their age group. 

Nicole Parkin, the team manager, is now attempting to raise £7000 to get the girls to the Euro Tournament in Barcelona in June 2020.

In a fundraising letter, Nicole Parkin said: ''The girls, with the exception of two from North Wales, originate from South Wales (predominately the Cardiff, Swansea and Bridgend areas) and have a mix of backgrounds, life experiences and family dynamics. 

''The team has grown significantly through their intensive training sessions, marked improvements have been observed in both their physical and emotional health as they have continued to grow both individually and as a team.

''Through the training sessions, the girls have gelled well, despite the differences in their family dynamics and are working together to form one team and ultimately one family as they prepare to compete at a national level.

''The girls have achieved so much to become part of this team, they deserve the chance to play elite sport and receive the recognition they have worked so hard for.

''We are desperately seeking funding to help cover the cost of representing their country at the prestigious Euro Tournament in Barcelona in June 2020, amongst other national matches within the UK and Europe and we are hoping to achieve around £7,000.

''Due to the team and wider organisation (Basketball Wales) receiving no form of funding or being a registered charity, we are looking for any donations, sponsorship or other financial means to assist with the costs associated to the team representing their country. 

''This experience alone will go a long way to increase the children's lifelong opportunities which, for the majority, will be something they have previously been denied due to their lack of opportunity.

Please contact at [email protected] or on 07403 473770 if you are interested in helping the girls get to Barcelona.