Lizzie Reid will represent Team GB at London 2012 following the announcement of the volleyball squads.

The Walthamstow star had her place confirmed on Friday and forms part of a 12-strong squad who will compete at Earls Court this summer.

Team GB will be represented in both the men’s and women’s events at the Olympics, with the competitions split into two pools of six.

Reid and the women’s squad will face off in their pool against Russia, Algeria, Italy, Dominican Republic and Japan in their bid to progress to the knock-out stages.

The top four teams from each pool advance to the quarter finals.

Reid is currently with the University of Georgia and has plenty of experience of competing against the world’s top players, and all of the squad have played in mainland Europe and America where the sport is very popular.

London 2012 will be the first time Team GB is represented at the Games but the sport has made a steady rise since 2006, including some notable results at last year’s test events.

Richard Callicott, President of the British Volleyball Federation (BVF), said: “I am delighted that after all this time British Volleyball teams are about to play in their first Olympic Games. It has a been a very challenging period for the players, coaches, administrators and for the British Volleyball Federation as a whole but at last all that worry, energy and work is about to come to fruition.

“The BVF will be represented in both men and women in the Olympic Games and that is a credit to all concerned for their dedication and commitment.”

Team GB Chef de Mission Andy Hunt added: “All of these athletes have worked tremendously hard to make this a possibility and we’re confident that we have two squads ready to put on a great display and give a fantastic account of themselves in London.

“The volleyball players and everyone involved have had to make huge sacrifices to make this a possibility so we all share in their excitement now that the Olympics Games are less than a month away and their selection is made official.

“Most importantly, the home Games should act as a springboard for the sport in Britain and allow Team GB to build for the next Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and beyond.

“It is a superb opportunity to showcase volleyball in this country and I hope that these players can inspire many more youngsters to get involved in the sport and create a lasting legacy from London 2012.”