HOLLINGWORTH teenager Kelsey Bardsley has the chance to show Americans that the Brits can be just as good as them at basketball.

The 18-year-old has swapped Tameside for Texas after signing for the Panola Fillies, a side in division one of the NJCAA.

Her move includes a full scholarship at Panola College where she will stay on campus and study physical education, maths, sports management, English Science and American History.

All being well, that will lead to graduation in four years’ time with a degree in teaching, a long way from when she started with the Hollingworth Juniors club at the age of nine.

Fillies head coach Tracey Stellato said: "Kelsey is a fundamentally sound player who shoots the ball extremely well. She understands that success comes only after you have worked very hard. I see in her a player that will be very versatile for us, as well as providing maturity and experience to what will be a fairly young team. I am excited about my new signings and look forward to working with Kelsey as we prepare for another Championship-winning season."

The move to America comes during a year in which Kelsey has established herself as the starting point guard for the Great Britain under-20s side.

Her selection for the British team competing at two European Championships means she is being fast-tracked as a potential Olympian for the 2012 and 2016 Games.

The teenager hopes that the move Stateside will help cement her Great Britain place, although past coaches and team-mates were also in her thoughts.

She said: "Playing in the States is just the platform I need if I have any chance of fulfilling my ultimate dream of representing Great Britain’s senior women at the 2012 Olympics.  My achievements so far have come through hard work, dedication to my training and making many sacrifices along the way.  I would like to thank my family and friends for all their help and support over the years as well as the coaches and teachers who have played a part in my development. Most of all though, I’d like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to my parents who have done everything they can to help me achieve my dreams."