BOURNEMOUTH’S Adam Grange is celebrating after being called up by England schoolboys.

Grange, who attends Sparsholt College, was named in an 18-strong squad for a training camp at Lilleshall ahead of a series of internationals.

The 17-year-old is on Southampton FC’s second chance programme and combines his football with studying for a BTEC National Diploma in sport and performance.

Grange, who was released by Portsmouth last year, said: “I live on-site at Sparsholt and the letter went straight to my home address in Bournemouth.

“I had a call from my mother who I asked to open the mail. She read the first line which said it was with great pleasure you have been successful and I knew I had made the final selection.

“I was thrilled but speechless at the same time. Having been released by Portsmouth last summer, I had lost a lot of confidence but Neil Benson, Academy manager at Sparsholt, and our coach Lewis Benson have instilled a new belief in my ability.

“Without question, in recent months I have become a more all-round player and I hope this will be the start of an experience that will help me fulfil my goal to become a professional player.”

The England selectors have been monitoring Grange’s performances since October which included a number of trials at county, regional, inter-regional and national level.

Sparsholt Academy manager Neil Benson said: “We are extremely proud of Adam’s achievement.

“He has worked hard on the training ground and is making good progress with Lewis who works with him as part of a very talented squad.

“I hope this will act as a springboard both for Adam, our current lads and some of the potential new intake for next season who we are beginning to look at to show the fantastic opportunities we try to create at Sparsholt.”