A former Archway student is celebrating after winning with Team GB at the WBSC’s European Slow pitch Softball Championship held in Italy this weekend.

Joshua Stanley, 20, was only selected for Great Britain a week before the championship last week, making him the team's youngest member of the GB Senior Men's Slowpitch Team.

In the final match against the Netherlands, Josh came on as a substitute and caught the ball that won GB the European Championship.

Joshua was born in Stroud and went to Archway School, where he discovered his passion for softball. After representing his school, he was chosen to train with the GB team, which trains in Coventry and Slough, and would regularly attend training weekends.

He said: “The week has been absolutely amazing. To represent GB and to be given the chance to demonstrate what I could bring to the table.

It was amazing to see the level of talent the senior members had and the level of competition from other countries. It shows the level I need to continue to work at to be a consistent member of the men’s team.”

The Men's Senior Team will travel to the Czech Republic next week to compete in the under 23 Men's Team Fastpitch Softball European Championship, with an opportunity to qualify for the World Softball Championship, which will be held in Argentina later in October this year.

Archway School said: “Congratulations Archway alumni Josh Stanley on winning the men's European Softball Championship with Team GB beating Netherlands in the final. Another incredible achievement.”