IT'S the stars and stripes all the way for a young lacrosse player who has been selected for Stockport Metro's ambitious trip to Maryland.

Calum Watson, a pupil at St. Ambrose College has only been playing for two years but at only 11-years-old will join the under-13 side next July.

Stockport Metro are made up of five top North-West Lacrosse clubs and select only 10 under-12s to join their touring under-13 side.

His coaches say that Calum is a tough defender with superb hand to eye coordination and a good engine to cover both defensive and play-making duties.

The official team sport of Maryland is lacrosse and Stockport Metro take the tour every year and has been running since the late Les Grainger first took a group of junior players in 1976.

Both Calum and his dad Mike Watson play for Cheadle, the sixth oldest lacrosse club in the world, and the spiritual home of British lacrosse, unusually the dad following his son in to the game.

Calum said: “I'd love to play for the Cheadle First Team and who knows maybe even become a full England international. The trip to Maryland is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am really looking forward to staying with an American family.”

The game is thought to have originated on the American plains as a way of the native tribes preparing for war.

Calum, who is also a keen rugby and water polo player added: “You've got to be strong and be able to give as good as you get. I love the sport.”