Caroline Westley is set to put her injury nightmare in the past and become a star of the small screen.

The 30-year-old former Tendring Sports Personality of the Year winner has been picked to play in the National Badminton League.

The former Clacton schoolgirl, who now lives in Colchester, has been chosen to represent Milton Keynes after catching the eye of their manager at a tournament in May.

MK Badminton, as they will be known, will play in a series of matches – all screened live on Sky TV – starting with Monday’s trip to face the Surrey Smashers.

“It’s great for the sport because there’s very little badminton on TV,” said Westley, a former England international who was junior national champion at under-13, under-15, under-17 and under-19 level.

“The tournament started last year and was a bit of a pilot, featuring four teams.

“Thankfully, it went down well and now there are six teams taking part, from across the country.

“It’s going to be very exciting because the matches are short, sharp and fast-paced.

“I’m excited to be part of it and, in addition to the cameras, there should be a great atmosphere.

“It’ll be nice to play in front of big crowds again and it’s certainly good motivation, in terms of staying fit and training hard.

“It’s going to be a bit scary, in terms of the quality of players I’ll be up against.

“Some of them are full-time and they’re the best players in the country and from across Europe.

“But I’ve been training hard and I’m looking forward to testing myself against players of this calibre.”

After establishing herself as a top junior, Westley’s career appeared in jeopardy after she dislocated her knee five years ago.

She ruptured ligaments and needed two operations.

“I had to stop playing for 18 months,” she said.

“It was a difficult time and I never dreamt I’d get to this level.

“It’s been a slow route back.

“I always wanted to play badminton again, because it’s something I love doing.

“I hoped to play at club or even county level again, but I never thought I’d be involved in something like this.”

Westley, a former pupil at St Osyth Primary School and Clacton County High School, was once fourth in the national ladies’ rankings and still has a top-20 ranking. She has competed around the world, including playing in the Junior Olympic and Junior Commonwealth Games.

Westley says she is indebted to the support of Clacton Leisure Centre.

She has been a member for years and has free use of the courts and gym there.

MK’s other matches will be against Birmingham Lions, on December 7, University of Nottingham, on January 11, Team Derby, on February 8, and Loughborough Sport, on March 21.

They will be aiming to book their place in Championship Finals Day, on May 8.