RISING star Amy Campbell-Wynter is aiming to start 2018 on a high – and lead a family quartet to success at the prestigious Dunlop British Junior Open.

Campbell-Wynter, 12, is seeded ninth in the girls’ under-13 event for the world class event, while her brothers Luca, Noah and James are all entered into the boys’ under-15 event.

The siblings will be four of 250 English players competing at the Dunlop British Junior Open, which features 650 players from more than 30 nations up to under-19 level.

Due to the size of the event, the tournament will be played over four venues in Birmingham, starting tomorrow and finishing on January 7.

Amy will head into the event in fine form after defying her age to win the Dorset under-19 girls' county title recently.

“I really want to play well in this event, which is such a big tournament for me,” said the Twynham Secondary School pupil.

“I want to finish as high as possible. I am currently both the English and British number three at under-13 level and I really want to prove myself.”

She plays four to five times a week at Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre in Christchurch where she also helps her father Charlie coach.

Like many young English stars, she has a role model to look up to in Laura Massaro, the former world champion and England number one.

“As she is English and has achieved so much in her career, she is definitely my hero,” added Amy.

“I started when I was five. I love hitting the ball hard on my backhand and people say how good I am.”

Amy’s father said: “Right from the very beginning, Amy showed something very special and, even as her coach, I'm not sure how she has been able to hit the ball so well on her backhand from such a young age. Even adults focus on her forehand now!

"She has now been recognised by the English coaching team and this will only quicken her progress so going professional now becomes a stronger possibility but it's a long way off."

Lee Drew, England Squash’s national junior coach, said: “She has improved considerably in the past few months and is open to advice which will only benefit her moving forwards.”

Dunlop is a proud sponsor of the British Junior Open and official ball partner of England Squash.