SOUTHAMPTON AC all-rounder Amaya Scott has won selection for the World Schools’ Athletics Championships as part of the 12-strong England team.

Six young men and six young women will compete in Nancy, north east France, against athletes from 33 other countries.

The team format is particularly suited to athletes who specialise in more than one discipline and heptathlete Scott, who will compete in shot put and high jump, is an ideal selection to win valuable points for the team.

The competition runs from June 24-30 with 16-year-old Scott competing on Monday (June 26)..

Scott is currently ranked the sixth best shot putter in the UK in the IAAF’s youth age group (U18) and joint first in the high jump. Both performances also meet the Commonwealth Youth Games qualifying standard - the only young athlete to achieve this feat in two different events.

She has just finished her GCSEs at Mountbatten School, Romsey, and recognises the support her school have provided in helping her achieve selection for her country.

Scott is also thankful for the grant made available from the Hampshire Talented Athlete Scheme and sponsorship from IT infrastructure provider Data Techniques based in Farnborough.

The daughter of former Solent Stars basketball player Mark Scott, she has been a member of Southampton AC since the age of ten.

“With the support and guidance of her parents and the club’s excellent coaches, Amaya has improved year on year ever since,” said Southampton AC’s Andy Fisher.

“She is ranked the 13th best U17 women’s heptathlete of all time in the UK and this will be her third England Schools’ vest, but her first in a global competition.”