A Shrewsbury schoolboy is aiming high as he prepares to take part in a basketball trial which could see him represent his country next month.
Peter Ashton, 15, from Upton Magna, who attends Meole Brace School, plays for Shrewsbury Sharks and is captain of Shropshire Warriors’ under-15 national league team. And he is just one step away from an international cap for England.
Peter will head to Bristol next week for a three-day training camp which will include having the chance to impress in trial matches.
For 12 of the 16 squad members the prize will be a chance to represent England in a series of internationals in Copenhagen in late June.
Peter was selected for England’s initial national under-15 development squad of some 40 players at the end of last year.
In the last three months he has attended camps in Bristol during which coach Andreas Kapulas has been assessing the quality of his players and gradually reducing the squad to 16.
Tom Sunley, president of Shropshire Warriors, said: “Pete is a talented boy and we wish him well next week.
“He has come through these nerve-racking camps with great distinction. He now has just one last challenge to face.
“He knows that while 12 players will be absolutely elated after those trials, four others will have their hearts temporarily broken. He is naturally determined to be elated rather than distraught.”
Over the last two years Peter has captained the county at under-14 and under-15 level and has also skippered the West Midlands.
In the 2009/10 season he not only led the Warriors under-15s but has also played regularly for their under-16 and under-18 teams in the national league.
Any company interested in supporting Peter financially can contact Tom Sunley on 07718 472362 or at sunley.tom@btinternet.com
by James Pugh