A YOUNG korfballer from Ely is all set to compete against some of the world s top players at the Korfball World Championships in July. Lia Matthews, a former pupil at Witchford Village College, has been hard at work in the last few months preparing to do

A YOUNG korfballer from Ely is all set to compete against some of the world's top players at the Korfball World Championships in July.

Lia Matthews, a former pupil at Witchford Village College, has been hard at work in the last few months preparing to do battle with top teams across the world, but will be doing so in the famous green and gold of Australia.

Lia, 24, was introduced to the burgeoning sport shortly after she turned 14 and now, just 10 years on, she is preparing to join up with the Australian team, an opportunity that came completely out of the blue,

"I was playing for my club side Trojans, when my coach told me that the Australian national team were asking after me, she said.

"They had been watching me play at championships in Holland over the internet and discovered that I had an Australian passport, so they got in touch with my coach."

Lia's Australian connection comes through her father, an Australian national and also a keen korfballer, despite getting the call however, she insists there is no sporting rivalry between father and daughter,

"He used to play quite a lot but does more coaching with local teams now, id like to say I'm a little bit better than he is though!"

Though Lia is a member of a national team, all her travel is self-funded and she is on the look out for sponsors to help her pay for flights. Anyone who is able to help can contact the Ely Standard for more information.