BECKY Inker is aiming to carry on riding high as her family’s pride and joy after moving a step closer to representing Great Britain in this year’s World Championships.

The 27-year-old Swindon Topcats defenceman, who was born in Canada, in the city of Cambridge, near Toronto, to English parents Lesley and Craig, has been named in a 29-strong GB squad for their upcoming challenge matches against the Netherlands on February 11 and 12 in Sheffield.

Since sufficiently impressing GB coaches at open trials in Dumfries, Scotland, last summer, Inker, who has played internationally for England for the last four seasons, has remained on course for a spot in Britain’s upcoming Division 2A campaign in Bled, Slovenia, on April 2-8.

Cheryl Smith’s squad will be trimmed to 22 ahead of the World Championships following next month’s clashes with the Netherlands and despite admitting that she’s always a bag of nerves when it comes to her quest for GB honours, Inker is spurred on by the chance to inspire her nearest and dearest – in particular, grandparents Phillis and Jim Scott.

“I was born in Canada but my parents are English and I moved over here about four-and-a-half years ago to spend a bit of time with family and play some hockey,” said Inker, who has played for the Topcats since 2012 and captains the side.

“I’ve played for England but I’ve always seen it as a stepping stone to get into the Great Britain team.

“It’s the highest level you can get to and it’s also not long until the Olympics (in Pyeongchang, South Korea) too.

“I went up to the trials in Dumfries in August last year and we’ve had training camps every three or four weeks since then.

“I’m very nervous about this. Playing with really good players does push you on but I’ve tried my best to keep it quite quiet – my parents have been telling everyone over in Canada about me though.

“My grandparents are English and they wanted me to make them proud by playing for Great Britain, so putting on that shirt (against the Netherlands) will mean a lot.

“It’s also my birthday on the day we have our first match (February 11), so that’s going to make it even more special.”

Inker has helped lead the Topcats to the Womens National South Division One title for the last two seasons and the Link Centre-based team, who are affiliated with the Swindon Wildcats, are currently joint-top of the Premier League – the country’s top tier.

Topcats coach Becci Osman said: “Becky thought about going back to Canada last year but we all convinced her to stay with us.

“I think she’s quite nervous because she doesn’t want to get let down in the end by not making the squad for the World Championships but she’s a great player and she can do it.”