Twelve Cumbrians have made it through to the England Lions’ trials for under-19s which are being held on Sunday.
It follows the completion of successful Community Lions Development Days across Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lancashire in November and December.
Sixty of the best under-19s in the community game, representing 36 clubs, have been selected for a further trial event at Ruskin Drive, St Helens, that will be shown live via Our League on Sunday (12.30pm).
The 60 players will be separated into three squads of twenty and everyone will have the chance to impress across three short fixtures.
Ultimately, this will assist under-19s Lions boss Allan Coleman in selecting a squad for the proposed 2022 European Championships, set to take place in Italy during early September.
Ten players have already represented the Community Lions under 17s last season, while Hensingham’s Logan Holgate, one of the youngest to receive a call-up, played in the Lions Under-16s international against Wales last August.
“Coleman revealed: “Our first trial was in Yorkshire and we had over a hundred trialists. We were against the clock in getting a squad together. We’ve got to get these games in before things really start for their clubs.
“It’s really important that the players can concentrate on their community clubs and we can also get a squad together and do some squad building and training together. I feel that we’ll get it right and I’m really looking forward to this day.
“The way Cumbria’s Alan Davidson and the Lions programme have planned things, it becomes special. Two or three years ago, before Covid, we had a massive turnout. It was on Our League and a lot of people watched. It does build up and there is a lot of excitement.
“It was good to see we got nominations from a lot of clubs. It’s testimony to the guys coaching these players week in, week out, and producing this talent. We are fortunate that we get to coach the elite, but it’s the community guys doing the hard work and credit should go to them.
“I’m very impressed by the quality within the group. If you can get there and see it live, I’d recommend that, but if not, then you can enjoy on Our League.”
The 12 Cumbrians in the 60 selected players are Atlee-Jack Skillen (Maryport), Blaine Graham (Kells), Jack Ainley (Kells), Taylor Richardson (Hensingham), Logan Holgate (Hensingham), Rio Wilson-McQuistan (Millom), Jack Newbiggin (Millom), David Beck (Ulverston), Evan Foster (Ulverston), Ross Bird (Askam), Mitchell Todd (Lowca), Taylor Roberts (Roose Pioneers).
