HOCKEY: Stourport's latest international call-up has paid tribute to the experience on hand at the club.

Up-and-coming first team star Dan Packwood has been called up by Wales U-18s ahead of July's European Eight Nations Championships in Poland.

The likes of past internationals, Great Britain's David Knott and Pakistan's Imran Yousaf, have helped Packwood, along with coach Craig Parnham and others.

The 17-year-old, a pupil at Stourport High School, admitted: "You always have international players to turn to at Stourport when you have a problem.

"It's going to be difficult playing for Wales U-18s and a lot of hard work.

"I started playing for Stourport seconds about four weeks into the season but when I got my chance to start in the first team, I never looked back.

"The games are a lot quicker which is useful because international hockey will be quick as well."

Determined Packwood, who plays in defence, has also turned out for Worcestershire and the Midlands as well as skippering Stourport's successful U-16s in the past.

He qualifies for Wales through his grandparents and will first be involved in a friendly in Scotland in early June before the European competition on July 6.

Packwood helped Stourport survive in National League Division One for another season.