Katherine Rednall will take a step into the unknown when she plays in the World Indoor Championships at Potters Resort in the New Year.

The 17-year-old has qualified for the showpiece event for the first time after organisers elected to scrap their invitation-only policy.

Rednall defeated England international Julie Leake, young Wiltshire prospect Katie Smith and Worcester’s Amy Stanton in Nottingham to reach Norfolk, where she will also partner three-time men’s champion Andy Thomson in the Mixed Doubles.

It will be the Stowmarket High School pupil’s debut at the event and also her first time playing on a portable carpet rink which will provide a more significant challenge for the teenager, who is preparing to go to England under-25 and over-25 indoor trials next month.

Rednall, who has already been picked for England women’s senior outdoor team, said: “The competition will be staged on a portable carpet rink which I have never played on.

“The pitch can be just rolled up and down to accomodate the advertising boards but the main difference will be the length, which will be shorter than normal.

“That means you can’t vary your jack length as much so there’s not as much margin for error, but the rink has been set up already so we will be allowed to practice before the event.”

“I am looking forward to the event and I am really pleased to get through.

“I didn’t play my best throughout but the most important thing was that I progressed.”

Rednall’s partnership with Thomson will also be a new experience for the youngster from Baylham, having played in other tournaments with Stowmarket’s Mark Royal in the past.

“It was drawn out of a hat so I didn’t know who I would get, but it’s nice to have been paired with Andy, he is a really good player.”