A student at Leeds Trinity has been selected to represent England at the 2019 Baton Twirling World Championships in August.

21-year-old Casey Hamill, from Sutton-at-Hone in Kent, will compete in the Artistic Twirl and Two Baton events after qualifying for the National Championships last month and being announced as a member of the England squad earlier this month.

"When it was announced, I was completely overwhelmed," said Casey, who suffered a ruptured hamstring in 2015. "I knew my injury had impacted me severely, so it was such an achievement to be competing again, let alone being selected to represent your country as an individual. Being able to take the world floor yet again is an incredible feeling."

Casey is no stranger to competition, having won national and international titles throughout her career - including becoming triple national champion in 2017 after doctors had feared she wouldn't be able to play sports again.

As a member of the England Baton Twirling team she'll now train three times per week individually and twice per month with the England squad to adjust and perfect routines for the Championships, which take place in Limoges, France from 4-8 August 2019.

"The idea of a medal is an absolute dream," added Casey. "However, if I can finish in the top 10 I will be more than satisfied. The competition is stiff with the best competing against one another, so it certainly won't be smooth sailing!"

Casey competes in Baton Twirling alongside a full-time job at Royal Mail as a Logistics Management Trainee and Apprentice on the Supply Chain Leadership Professional Degree Apprenticeship at Leeds Trinity. She received £250 from the University's Inspiring Futures Programme last year to support her training, entry fees and costumes.

Sarah Todd, Sports Development Manager at Leeds Trinity University, said: "Congratulations to Casey on being selected for the England squad, after months of training and competitions. We're looking forward to following her progress at the World Championships in August and wish her, and the team, the best of luck for the competition."

Leeds Trinity's Inspiring Futures Programme was launched in 2016 to support students competing at an elite level of sport (Sporting Excellence Fund), those who want to study abroad as part of their degree (Study Abroad Fund) and recent graduates who want support in developing their business (Enterprise Fund).