LOCAL pool player Key Grout has the chance to win a place on the England Ladies pool team tomorrow.

Grout, who lives in Swindon, will compete against 63 other players at Great Yarmouth for a place in the national side.

She has already faced the pressure of competitive pool having played regional trials in January 2001 for Wiltshire, where she successfully won a place in the team.

The cue star certainly made an impact when joining the Wiltshire Ladies, winning player of the season two years running.

She had to see off stiff competition from Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset for a place at the England trials.

In order to secure a spot at the trials, Grout had to finish in the top eight.

“I came in joint ninth, so I had to have a play-off for the England place at Weston-super-Mare, where I won the game 5-0,” said Grout.

The pool sensation will be playing in Great Yarmouth along with seven other ladies from her region.

She is quietly confident about her chances looking at the draw for the first round.

“I’ve beaten some of the competition before,” she said.

“Everyone is beatable, it all comes down to the run of the balls.”

She will be taking five of her friends with her who will all be cheering her on.

But Grout is not fazed by the task at hand, and cannot wait to get started.

“I’ll just have fun, do my best and enjoy it,” she said.

“There is no point in putting pressure on yourself.

“You have just got to relax and play your own game.”

The potential benefits of playing for her country excite Grout, but she is making sure she keeps her feet on the ground until the hard work is done.

But her immediate family are struggling to keep their emotions in check, as they are brimming with pride.

“I am excited, but my family and friends are more excited,” she said.

“My mum was always complaining it wasn’t a very lady-like hobby.

“Now she’s telling everyone her daughter has an England trial.”