A YORK schoolboy will be Britain's last line of defence this summer at the world championships of his sport.

Carl Seamark, a 12-year-old member of York Whitehawks Roller Hockey Club, has been selected to play in the Global Inline Hockey Festival being held in Canada in July.

Picked as net-minder (goalie) for the Under-12 team, he is now busy trying to raise the £1,200 he needs to pay for the trip.

Carl, a pupil at Canon Lee School, has been playing roller hockey for three years.

He was selected for a national squad and attended selection trials at Derby recently from which he has won his place in the Great Britain team to play in Canada.

He plays for Whitehawks U14 side and has represented the North East Super League side. Whitehawks play in the North East region Inline Hockey League and have won five of their first seven games.

There will be teams from six age groups going to Canada, with 12 players and two net-minders in each group. They fly to Toronto early in July to compete in the Mission Showdown international tournament and then go to Ontario for the Global tournament against teams from the United States, New Zealand, Argentina and European countries for the world championship.

As part of his international training Carl will receive specialist goalie coaching from Canadian Scott Hay, who is a a professional net-minder for Basingstoke Bisons ice hockey team.

Although Carl's father Darren is head coach for York Whitehawks, his club team coaches are Canadians Paul Dupley and Pete Wirt. To complete the Seamark family involvement in roller hockey Carl's mother Irene is a registered referee.

Whitehawks have had other international players in their ranks in recent years, with club members Katie Hills and Andy Hancock both having played for Great Britain.

Carl took up roller hockey in the club beginners' class and these sessions are held every Sunday at Oaklands sports centre, Acomb, from 3pm to 4pm.

Each session costs £1.55 and those taking part should take elbow and knee pads and roller blades, although some equipment can be provided. There are no age limits and all sessions are supervised by a qualified coach.

During the Easter holidays, there will be four two-hour sessions at Oaklands for all keen to have a go at roller hockey, with videos, hands-on demonstrations and guidance.

Darren Seamark has taken a roller hockey roadshow into two schools, Canon Lee and Clifton Without, as part of their sports programmes.

The beginners' sessions at Oaklands are run by volunteers and the club are always on the lookout for spare equipment. They also require a new club strip.

All interested in helping Carl with the cost of his trip and give assistance to the Whitehawks club should contact Darren Seamark on 01904 645974 (evenings) or 07808 923766 (mobile).

The club have their own website on www.york-whitehawks.com

Updated: 09:36 Saturday, March 08, 2003