SPARSHOLT College is once again celebrating this week with the news that Football Academy student Adam Grange has been selected for the England Schoolboys’ Under-18 squad.

From thousands throughout the country Adam has made the final 18 and will follow in the footsteps of Andover Town forward Charlie Gunson, who was selected last year.

He will join the England Schoolboys’ training camp at Lilleshall National Training Centre later this month prior to a series of international matches.

Commenting on the news which came the week of his 17th birthday, Adam 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 have to admit I was thrilled but speechless at the same time. Having been released by Portsmouth FC last summer I had lost a lot of confidence but Sparsholt Academy manager, Neil and our coach Lewis Benson have installed a new belief in my ability.

“Without question in recent months I have become a more allround player and I hope this will be the start of an experience that will help me fulfil my goal to become a professional player. Living on-site allows me to enjoy all the fantastic facilities that Sparsholt offers.

Aside from excellent training pitches we have a brand new indoor Sports facility incorporating gym and studio where fitness coach, Jordan O’Donnell has assisted me with a personal programme which has helped my knowledge and ability to reach a higher level which is so important in the modern game.”

The England selectors have been monitoring Adam’s performance since October which included a number of trials at county, regional, inter-regional and more latterly national level with the last 64 and the last 32 selections conducted at Lilleshall.

Adam is a first-year Football Academy student at Sparsholt College on the Southampton FC Second Chance programme. He combines his football with studying on the BTEC National Diploma course of Sport and Performance.

The Southampton (Sparsholt) FC lads currently top the Conference Youth League which is played on a Wednesday afternoon and compete in a number of other cup competitions and showcase games.

Last year Sparsholt College had two players selected to represent England – Midfielder, Charlie Gunson and goalkeeper, Mark Childs.

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 that we try and create at Sparsholt. I am sure, like Charlie and Mark last season, this experience will prove invaluable for his all-round development on and off the pitch.”

For school leavers looking to join the Academy, there are a number of trial days coming up.