BROMFORDS School’s Josh Da Silva has been called up into Great Britain’s under-21 handball squad, just three years after first taking up the sport.

The 17-year-old right-half has already represented England at under-16 and under-18 level, as well as Great Britain under-18s and under-20s.

And Da Silva can’t wait to line up his latest international appearance, which will be in World Championship qualifiers in Gillingham in January.

“It’s fantastic to have been picked and I cannot wait for the matches we have coming up, especially as they are going to be in held in our own country for the first time,” said Da Silva, from Pitsea.

“I have gone to play in places like Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Serbia, Malta and Hungary, but now I’m excited about being able to play in front of a home crowd.”

Britain will take on Hungary, Netherlands and Israel in the forthcoming matches.

And Da Silva will be looking to continue his remarkable progress in the sport which he only took up in the build up the London Olympics in 2012.

“I was introduced to handball in 2011, leading up to the Olympics,” recalled Da Silva.

“My PE teacher Chris Baker entered us into a competition where an England under-16 scout asked me to attend a trial for the Talent Pathway Academy.

“I am currently in my final year of that now and I have also been offered a place in an Academy in Aarhus, Denmark for one year.”

Da Silva, who stands at 6ft 5ins tall, now hopes handball will continue to grow in this country.

He also wants the nation’s teams to regularly compete at major events and urges others to start playing.

“It’s a fast, physical sport which is really enjoyable,” said Da Silva.

“I would recommend it to anyone and people should definitely type it in to YouTube to have a look.”

But playing handball can be quite expensive, especially after GB handball had their funding cut after the Olympics.

And Da Silva remains on the look-out for a sponsor.

“We are all self funded athletes and are we are always looking for sponsorship or contributions towards kit, travelling and accommodation,” said Da Silva. It would be a huge help if somebody was able to help out.”

* ANYONE wishing to help Josh can contact him via the Echo sports desk on 01268 469307 or by emailing sports.echo@nqe.com