A LITTLE thing like a broken leg won't be a setback for long to budding netball star Zahra Clark.

Zahra's a bit of a determined character and she's set on being back in action within six weeks of the injury suffered in Saturday's Southampton League match playing for Fleming Park against Chandler's Ford.

"I've got a broken fibula but I've got the same type of boot that David Beckham had when he had his foot injury before the World Cup. It should cut down the recovery time quite a bit," said the 17-year-old.

"Netball's supposed to be a non-contact sport but I was taken out on Saturday," she said, with a commendable smile.

Zahra's family has provided the motivation for her budding netball career.

She has played the game since she was five years old - and her inspiration comes from her mum, Anne, and sister Becky.

"Seeing my sister take England trials and win inter-county tournaments and play against Australia made me realise the success there is to achieve," said Zahra.

Zahra looked up to her sister from an early age and wanted to be just like her. That gave her an ambition and a target.

From the age of 11, Zahra was playing county netball for the under-14 squad and, during the summer holidays, while all the other children were relaxing, she attended Cobham netball summer school to train.

At 13 she was selected by the county to trial for the Under-16 England excellence development group and was again successful. It meant being seen by the best coaches in the country and being trained by them.

When Zahra was 16 she was selected for Talent 1 England based at Bath University.

"I was with the best players in England and the pressure was on, and I also attended workshops at the university on a regular basis," she explained.

At present I play in the London Polytechnic league for my team Fleming Park, national clubs and also the Hampshire/North county team.

"Although I play a lot of netball, I still had to work on my fitness and performance on the court so, with the help of Chris Scragg, head personal trainer at David Lloyd, I am able to do this. He also keeps an eye on my diet."

In between all the netball, Zahra is studying at Tauntons College and plays for the very strong netball team there. So going out with friends at the moment takes a back seat. "I am very dedicated and am putting in more training than ever before but this is one of the sacrifices you have to make if you wish to make it to the top," she said.

Zahra is lucky she has the full support of her family and sponsor Shorelands Projects in Botley to help her financially.

It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to support a young person in their chosen sport.

"My aim is to keep playing to a high standard and reach targets I set. Then I will be very pleased. I am also thinking about going to Australia for a year to join a netball academy, which will enhance my performance."

It's odds on that Zahra, who is an extremely confident young girl, will reach her goals and attain the high standards she sets herself.

E-mail your netball news to Clare Egerton using the link above.