While the average 13-year-old is fussing about boys, make up and pop music, Rachel Pullen regularly dons her protective pads and helmet to play in goal for Swindon Pumas, the under 14 team of the Wildcats ice hockey club.

And the Kingsdown School youngster's natural talent in the unusual sport saw her picked to play for her country just a year after she first picked up a hockey stick and skated on to the ice.

Aged just 12 years, Rachel was chosen to play for the England under 16s team at an international tournament in the Czech Republic.

Now Rachel's ability with a puck has seen her win a place at an international skills camp in Canada this May, part of the centenary celebrations of the International Ice Hockey Federation.

A total of 45 countries were invited to put their top players to the test for a place at the celebration training camps, and Rachel was good enough to secure herself a trip to the Quebec event.

She said: "In January I trialled as a goalie against other girls from the south of England, born in either 1993 or 1994.

"After our skills challenge trials I was informed I had made number one in the south, and my results were put forward against those from the north of England, as well as Scotland and Wales. I was then told I'd become number one in Great Britain."

The IIHF then selected the top 10 girl netminders from the participating countries to travel to Canada for the event, and Rachel had been ranked in third place worldwide.

Her visit will coincide with the senior men's ice hockey world championship which she will be able to watch when not taking part in the skills challenge and tournament.

Height: 5ft 5in Weight: 10st 2lbs

Health/fitness aims for 2008: I have put together a fitness programme which involves daily activities such as cycling, skipping, sit ups, stretching. My aim for 2008 is to keep up this programme, and in the near future to add badminton and join the gym when I am 14.

What do you do to keep fit? I play and train as goalie in ice hockey. I also do my fitness programme. I play sport at school too, such as field hockey.

Why do you do it? I do my activities because I like to stay fit and healthy, it makes me feel better in myself and I get to make a lot of friends while looking after myself.

What are your eating and drinking habits? I eat a variety of fruit and vegetables, I eat mainly quorn instead of red meat because it taste much better and it's more healthy for you.

Diet vices: I try to stick to a low fat diet, but do occasionally allow myself treats How's your health? I personally think my health is in good condition, which I hope will continue and improve in the future.

Do you take part in competitive sport? I play ice hockey for Swindon junior under 14s A team, I play up with the under 16 A and B teams. I also play for South England girls under 16s and have played for England under 16 girls, which I am trialling for again this year. I have also played for the South West under 13 mixed team, but I was the only girl.