LETITIA McMullan, a 14-year old table tennis player from Whiteley, near Fareham, will represent England South East in the Sainsbury’s 2013 School Games at Ponds Forge, Sheffield.

The Games, supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust, is a major multi-sport competition for the nation’s talented young athletes. It will see over 1,600 potential sports stars of the future competing across 12 sports from September 12-15.

McMullan, a Henry Cort Community College pupil, has an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of her sporting heroes and experience what it is like to compete on a major multi-sport stage.

Paralympic sprint gold medallists Hannah Cockroft and Jonnie Peacock, Paralympic swimming gold medallist Ellie Simmonds, Olympic bronze gymnastics medallists Max Whitlock and Sam Oldham and top GB sprinter Adam Gemilli have all been on the same journey as McMullan and competed at the high-profile event before going on to sporting success at a senior level.

McMullan said: “I’m incredibly excited about the Sainsbury’s School Games as I’ve never been part of a competition as big as this. “After the Olympics last year I’ve been really inspired to keep improving and I think this proves that all my hard work has paid off. “I’m really looking forward to the atmosphere as I’ve heard it’s really incredible and I can’t wait to get to Sheffield to experience it for myself.”

Congratulating McMullan, Sainsbury’s Active Kids ambassador David Beckham said: “Letitia should be incredibly proud of being selected. “To be given the chance to compete in a multi-sport event and experience a major sporting occasion like this is a huge opportunity for these young people.” The Sainsbury’s School Games is supported by a range of partners including the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Sport England, Youth Sport Trust, Department of Health and British Paralympic Association. To find out more visit: www.2013schoolgames.com.