Teenage athlete Hannah Williams will jet off Down Under on Sunday to join Usain Bolt and other top names in her sport to compete in the inaugural Nitro Athletics event.

The Herts Phoenix 400m runner from Welwyn Garden City, who graced the IAAF World Junior Championship and World Youth Championship over the past two years, cannot wait for her first senior event in an England vest.

“It was a massive surprise to me [to be selected], but I am so excited to compete out in Australia,” the 18-year-old former Queenswood pupil told the Welwyn Hatfield Times ahead of racing at Melbourne’s Lakeside Stadium.

“I think it will be an amazing experience as it’s my first senior competition so I will be able to learn and gain experience from my team-mates.”

Nitro Athletics, which takes place on February 4, 9 and 11, is a new concept in the sport.

It is more of a team competition as nations, and a guest team, compete against each other with points earned leading to an overall team crowned the winner.

Those competing are China, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, England and the Bolt All-Star team with each containing 24 athletes.

The events in which Williams will be competing in have not yet been confirmed.

Nine-time Olympic champion Bolt is the big name supporting, and taking part, in the competition, and while Williams has watched him in action, she hopes to meet the fastest man on Earth if the chance presents itself.

“I’ve never met him before,” she added.

“I’ve seen him run in London at the Olympics and the Anniversary Games. Fingers crossed I will meet him in Australia. That would be amazing.”

Following the Nitro Games, Williams’ next aim for the season will be to qualify for the 400m at the European Junior Championship in Italy in July.

Williams has been happy with her preparations for the season.

“Winter training has been going really well,” she added.

“I have started doing more gym sessions with Perfect Balance which have been helping a lot.

“I have concentrated a lot on building up my endurance as that was what I was lacking last year so would always tire towards the end of the race.”

Hannah Williams is now fourth on the UK junior indoor 400m all-time list after clocking 54.05secs at the South of England Championships at Lee Valley on January 15.