A STUDENT from North Yorkshire is the first to be selected to be part of an international team playing a sport invented in the county.

Easingwold School pupil Tom Hildreth, 16, is the first person chosen to be an international Rock-It-Ball player.

Following the success of the Carnegie Rock-It-Ball championships in January, the Rock-It-Ball UK Association is working towards hosting the first international event.

Plans are under way to stage a three-way international fixture in the North-East in May.

Tom said: "Rock-It-Ball is a very fast-moving sport and I am looking forward to being able to test myself at a higher level.

"I feel very proud to have the honour of being the first international rockiteer."

In the game, players have to use a scoop to catch and throw a ball at each other.

Tom's father, Paul, one of the inventors of the game, said: "Tom has been involved in Rock-It-Ball right from the early days of prototypes and trials. I am delighted that the selection committee of the Rock-It-Ball UK Association has recognised his experience and ability."

Association chief executive Craig Buttery said: "Although Rock-It-Ball is a brand new sport, it has really captured people's attention.

"We are now seeing the establishment of independent clubs and getting a lot of interest from abroad, so we felt the time was right for our first international."

n www.rock-it-ball.com