GREENMOUNT teenager Lois Pearson is on the brink an international call-up after being picked for the England netball National Academy potential group.

The 14-year-old Woodhey High School pupil was invited to join the 30-girl squad for an Easter training camp after a successful trial in Sheffield last month.

She will be put through a rigorous selection process during the summer before the squad is whittled down to 25 in August, when those remaining will be picked to compete for England Under-17s.

"It is a fantastic achievement for Lois as she is the youngest girl to be picked for the squad, so obviously we are very proud of her," said her father, Glenn Pearson.

Lois has been introduced to the England camp ahead of schedule after progressing quickly through the regional ranks, making the step up after excelling for Greater Manchester County Academy and then North West Regional Academy.

She started playing netball for YWCA Bury aged nine and this year helped the Under-15s side to the Division Two title in the Bury Ladies Senior League. Seven members of her Bury side, who are also top of the Greater Manchester County U15s League, have earned county honours, while five play for the North West.

In fact, Lois seems to be in good company wherever she plays, with nine of the 30 girls chosen for the national squad coming from the North West Academy, one of nine regional academies in the country.

Mr Pearson is certain that England coach Tracey Neville, who is also from Bury, has had a big part to play in that string showing.

As well as playing for her town, county and region, Lois is also a member of Manchester Thunder's NPL development squad – a youth feeder team for the Superleague side that was set up by Neville.

"Tracey has been a big inspiration to Lois," said Glenn.

"I certainly don't think it is a coincidence the North West has become such a hotbed of netball talent – that has to be down to Tracey's influence."

Neville also played for YWCA Bury and has coached Lois at Thunder, who were beaten 48-41 by Hertfordshire Mavericks in the Superleague semi final earlier this month.

She believes the strength of clubs like Bury at the u14s to u16s level is key to the evolution of the game – in the region and across the UK.

“There used to be two clubs that dominated – Oldham and Tameside. Now we are seeing other coaches, other clubs stepping up with the aim of ‘anything is achievable’ and creating a winning mentality,” said Neville.

“The more talented coaches and players there are, the more girls we will see coming through the system.”