Football: Bournemouth's Adam Grange and Sparsholt College Football Academy team-mate Ryan Penny were both selected by Southampton under-18s for a friendly against Shamrock Rovers.
Both players are on the Saints Second Chance programme, which is run in partnership with the college and overseen by Neil Benson and coached by his son Lewis Benson.
Specifically for top-quality, talented and committed players between the ages of 16 and 19, the programme aims to develop footballing potential as well as enabling them to gain national qualifications in sport.
The selection of Penny and Grange, who played previously for England schoolboys, reaffirms the college’s links with the club.
Neil Benson said: “We are grateful at the Sparsholt Academy that Southampton’s Academy side presented our players with such an invaluable experience to their development. Being invited to an overseas game was a great privilege and achievement."
Both students started the game with midfielder Penny playing the full 90 minutes and striker Grange having a 75-minute run-out.
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