LYDNEY goalkeeper Charlotte Purvis has been called up to the England Universities first team as the only player in her position.

Purvis, from Whitecroft, shone in her club’s 2-0 win at Bristol University and breaks into the team ahead of the Four Nations competition in April held in Edinburgh.

Purvis joined Lydney aged 10 years old and played in various academy matches and tournaments before moving through the women’s teams.

The 19-year-old stopper has represented Gloucestershire at youth level and was named player of the year for Lydney’s third and second string sides in 2011 and 2012 respectively, when she was playing outfield.

At the start of the 2012/13 season, Purvis was asked to try out in goal and impressed so much to be moved into the newly promoted first team, where she has stayed since and earned most improved player at the club that year.

“As a club we are so proud of Charlotte’s work ethic, character and determination,” said Lydney chairman Andy Lord.

“Big clubs full of private school kids usually dominate the university teams so this is a real achievement for Charlotte, Lydney town and the hockey club.”

Former Whitecross School student Purvis narrowly missed out on selection for England Under-18s in 2014 after she attended an England Hockey Development Centre.

But she has since gone on to represent Hartpury College and now the University of Gloucestershire’s first team and has helped them to the top of the British Universities and Colleges Sports Western 1A league.

Her efforts have finally been rewarded after attending trials in Gloucester and Leeds, as she will face off in the tournament early next month.