Full England hockey call-up beckons as Atherstone keeper proves where there's a Will, there's no way through

Ace shot-stopper Will Parsons is keeping his eyes firmly fixed on the main goal in his burgeoning hockey career as he takes another impressive step towards a full England cap.

A call-up to the England and GB Colleges under 19s side as first-choice keeper will give the Atherstone Adders teenager a shot at full international experience for the first time.

The 17-year-old can expect rigorous tests ahead against the combined hockey talents of the UK.

For Atherstone-born Will will be pitting his skills against goal-hungry players in matches against England under 16s and under 18 representative sides from Scotland and Wales – as well as the RAF.

Will, the son of Atherstone hockey playing legend Eddie Parsons, has enjoyed a meteoric rise in sporting terms since deciding to try his luck between the posts just five years ago.

He's been part of the Atherstone hockey academy since the age of seven and for the last two years has been helping the Men's Firsts sweep all before them.

Will told Atherstone Nub News: "Since moving my education to Loughborough College, I have been selected for England and GB colleges u19 team as the first-choice keeper.

"This puts me in the top 12 goalkeepers and will finally give me the full international experience when we go away to play Wales and Scotland.

"If all goes to plan, I would hope to see myself in the national squad very soon."

Will started off playing in Atherstone's junior Badgers side when the team was first formed five seasons ago before progressing through the Men's Thirds, Seconds and into the Firsts for the last two seasons.

He has played for the Warwickshire team and beyond that the Midlands one which gave him entry to High Performance Assessment Camp in Leeds.

His progress continued within the England Hockey Pathway. Over the last four years Will has been in the Performance Centre set up, training with the South Midlands team at Warwick School.

This season saw him selected for the Elite U18 Development Programme with performance camps throughout the year at Lillehsall National Sports Centre – the second home of hockey in England.

Team news: Last week Atherstone Adders 1s – sitting seven points clear at the top of East Midlands 1 league – blitzed Berkeswell 10-0, racking up their 100th goal for the season along the way with only one defeat.

They have scored 108 goals in 14 games this season, more than twice as many as any other team in the Tier 2 division.

Tomorrow they travel to fourth-placed Melton to continue their bid for another league title (lunchtime push back).