It is a whole new ball game for St. George's, Grenada soldier Private Paula Baptiste after she was selected to play basketball for the British Army, since women are more usually associated with netball.

Paula, 27, who is serving as a military clerk with the adjutants General's Corps attached to 12 Regiment Royal Artillery, has made the transition to what had always been a male sport, to continue a tradition started by female soldiers in 1989 when they wanted to play in a faster game.

The main difference is that in netball when a player takes possession of the ball they must stop and pass while in basketball they can dribble the ball by bouncing and there is more contact.

Talking at the selection trials, she said: "I first played when I was in High School, I loved the sport, but most of all I liked competing.

"I get loads of support from the army because sport is encouraged. I get time off for training and matches plus help with transport costs and I am allowed to organise my unit games.

"My ambition is to improve my game and get into the combined services team, I'd to play professionally one day".

Team coach, Sergeant Paul Blake said: "In the past the girls and boys had their own games but now everything is more integrated and the ladies in particular want to play.

"In America where the game started there is a big following for women's basketball, there it is growing and in the army it is played first at unit level then.

"Our main aim is to win the inter services championships at which we have a good success rate because some of our team play at national level.

"We do have some problems maintaining a squad of 20 players because many are away on operations, I am currently missing six players although that does give other the chance to get into the team".

Paula joined the British Army in 2003, her mother Constance lives in St. George's.