A YOUNG frisbee player's dream of national glory was up in the air this week after he cracked his ribs in a road accident.

Student Adam Crouch is now hoping he'll be fit enough to lead his Chester team in the national Ultimate Frisbee Championships at the Northgate Arena on March 19 and 20. Adam, 17, of Seahill Road, Saughall, is captain and coach of Chester's team No Pirates, which has a 20-strong squad.

The sixth form pupil at the Chester Catholic High School in Handbridge was knocked down while crossing a road and broke several ribs.

'I'm hoping to get the all-clear from the doctor in the next two weeks so I can start training again,' he explained.

Chester will be battling against teams from Glaston-bury, Manchester, Birkenhead, Eastbourne and the current national champs Stourbridge.

The game is a mixture of rugby, American football and netball and uses a special 175g disc. The seven-player teams start at either end of the pitch and have to pass the frisbee without moving or holding the disc for more than eight seconds. When the disc is caught in the end zone then the team scores a point.

Adam founded the Chester side with a group of friends. He successfully applied for funding from the National Frisbee Association in order to host the event at the Northgate Arena. He said: 'I'm really looking forward to playing at the Northgate arena and hopefully winning.'