A SCHOOLGIRL from York who was adopted from an orphanage in China as a baby is now one of the leading junior squash players in the UK.

Poppie Jaram, of Acomb, has been playing squash for only three years, but, under the guidance of Dunnington-based coach Gary Crossland, she has gone from strength to strength.

Poppie was recently ranked fifth in England in the sport in the under-11s age group.

Her proud dad, John Jaram, said Poppie’s story was even more remarkable considering she was brought to Britain from her native China when she was adopted by John and his wife Jean.

John, who works at a tyre wholesalers, said: “We adopted Poppie from China when she was just ten-months-old. The whole process was very surreal. It’s impossible to describe the feelings you go through really. It’s a very strange experience taking someone from the land of their birth.

“It’s a very lengthy process and takes about three years to complete the adoption. The Chinese government send you a passport size photograph and a 20-word description of the baby and you have to decide whether you want to go ahead with the adoption. You also have to make a donation of $3,000 to the orphanage.

“Myself and Jean went over to China to complete the process ahead of the adoption and on the day we got Poppie, they just brought her to our hotel room and we had to get on with it.”

John and Jean, of Gale Lane, Acomb, went through the process twice, adopting a second daughter Amber, who is now eight.

John said: “I’m so proud of them both, they are both very sporty. Poppie also plays tennis and swims and Amber also plays squash and likes trampolining. They go to Acomb Primary School and both the girls are doing really well there.”

Last season, Poppie played for York RI second team in the York and District League and held her own against adult players. She has also won four open tournaments at Pontefract, Newcastle, Halifax and Leeds. She has won eight trophies in the past few months and has been invited to join the Yorkshire Girls Squad.

John said: “She’s just the size of a normal ten-year-old so it’s quite strange to watch her playing adult women.

“I play squash myself and she’s not far off beating me – I’ve said though that the day she beats me is the day I hang up my racquet.”