VOLLEYBALL starlet Joel Roberts was on cloud nine after skippering England juniors to tournament success at the Sainsbury’s School Games in Manchester.
The Twynham School pupil led a side that included Nathan Fullerton, Harry Jones and Will Van Wingerden, all members of Wessex Volleyball Club and LeAF Elite Athlete Academy, respectively.
England saw off Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the England cadet team in the group stages, before defeating Scotland West 2-0 in the final.
Roberts said: “Five years ago, I could only have dreamed of being in the starting line-up of an England team, never mind being captain.
“Lifting the trophy in front of family, friends and supporters and surrounded by my team-mates was a spectacular feeling.”
Roberts’s performances earned him a place in the team of the tournament alongside Fullerton.
England juniors triumphed overall across the junior men and junior women’s sections.
That ensured Roberts secured a hat-trick of awards and he collected the trophy alongside fellow Wessex player and England junior women’s captain Lois Chitticks.
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