A County Durham footballer has received an international call-up from the English Colleges Football Association.

Jordan Lavery, of Coxhoe, studies BTEC Extended Diploma Sport at New College Durham and is also a key member of the Football Development Centre.

As part of his training Lavery receives coaching from professional coaches including Ronnie Thompson, from Newcastle United.

Lavery has also recently spent time on a six-week training programme at Middlesbrough's Academy, in which he trained with the U18s, U21s, and the first team.

Lavery went through three phases of trials to be selected for the Men's Under-19 England team and played his first match against Wales on March 8, winning 1-0. He is now going to Italy for an international tournament this month.

"I was proud to be put forward by the College for ECFA selection process, it's a huge honour to have been selected to play for England," Lavery said. "I chose to study at New College Durham because it has a great reputation for developing footballers but I didn't expect this!"

Thompson, the New College Durham Football Development Centre Manager said: "The last year has been an exciting time to be involved in the Football Development Centre. On a personal note it has been tremendous to see students display so much self-belief in their abilities both as football players and in their academic studies.

"The ethos of the Football Development Centre is 'success is not achieved alone; it is achieved together', an ethos the students and staff alike have taken to heart."

Students studying in the Football Development Centre receive ten hours of professional coaching, training and playing per week, free gym membership, up to £100 free sports kit, individual player assessment and a nationally recognised level 2 or 3 qualification in sport.

For more information contact the Football Development Centre Manager on 0191 375 4438.