The 16-year-old is part of an eight-strong squad who will try to secure qualification for the FIP World Cup at this month’s European qualifier in Madrid.
‘I was really shocked to get the news,’ said De La Mare. ‘I wasn’t expecting it at all so I was really happy’
‘I played the Junior World Cup two years ago and then the Junior Euros this year and they were both really fun. But this will definitely be a step up and I’m really excited to get out there and be with the team’
‘I’ve played some top-20 players in the world and they are a joke - they’re so good. But it’s been great experience. They don’t miss and they can put the ball away whenever they want to,’ she said.
The qualifying tournament takes place from 22-26 September with two spots up for grabs for the finals, which are being held in Qatar in early November.
Defending champions Spain are among the nations already assured of their spots in the final phase.
The former Blanchelande student is currently ranked at 303 in the world - with Aimee Gibson and Catherine Rose the highest-ranked of her GB squad-mates for Madrid at 93 and 94 respectively.
With support from Guernsey Tennis and Padel, Hiscox, and the Guernsey Sports Commission, De La Mare is now studying remotely for a BTEC with Loughborough College as she balances studies with pursuing padel.
‘The support I’m receiving really makes a difference,’ she said.
‘I’m online for a couple of hours every afternoon and it can be very flexible, and it means we’re allowed to travel more and we can get away to competitions and do more training. I’m really thankful.’
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