Portslade schoolboy footballer Lance Cronin has been called up by England.

The former Albion centre of excellence goalkeeper has been included in the FA-run under-15s squad to take part in the Ballymena Junior International tournament in Ireland next week.

"It is fantastic that I'm involved. You cannot get a greater honour than to be chosen by your country.

"The FA sent me a letter to my home. I was out, but my mum phoned me up to tell me. I was very excited and still am. I can't believe it."

England will be in a tournament that also involves Northern Ireland, Norway, Netherlands, Canada, Cyprus and Scotland.

He said: "It's a big event. We'll play five games and hopefully I'll be involved."

The 6ft 2in keeper, who has a five-year deal with Crystal Palace with the aim of signing professionally, said: "I still keep in touch with the lads at Albion. I'm delighted things are going so well for them."

Meanwhile, Steve Edmonds been selected for England's European Under-18s Championship hockey squad.

The 17-year-old Brighton left winger believes his inclusion for Hamburg in July strikes a blow for non-national league players who have international ambition.

He said: "Often it is national league players who get called up into squads like this one so it just proves that Kent and Sussex Regional League players can make it too. I'm ecstatic.

"Hopefully I can celebrate a double because Brighton play Chichester in the Sussex Cup final on Sunday. We met Chi last year and won and I scored a goal. I wouldn't mind a repeat of that. It would round off a great week."

Ben Hawes, 19, from Lewes, is looking forward to experiencing a special atmosphere.

Hawes is part of the England under-21s squad which begins a four-match Test series against Pakistan in Lahore on Saturday.

He said: "We'll be playing in front of massive crowds of around 20,000. The biggest I've played in front of for Lewes is about 200. It should be a great atmosphere and get me attuned to what it'll be like when we go to Tasmania for the World Cup in September."

In baseball, Shaun Wadey is following in the footsteps of his big sister Nikki.

The 12-year-old from Southwick, a pupil at Blatchington Mill, Hove, has been chosen to represent Britain in the World Under-13s Championships in Japan from July 22-August 4.

Nikki, 16, also at Blatchington Mill, competed for Great Britain in the European Fastpitch Softball Under-16s Championships in Holland last year.

James Netts and Keiran Lusk, like Brighton clubmate Shaun, will also fly the flag. They have been selected for Britain B under-16s.