Brodie Jesson jetting off with England

Brodie Jesson, 15, has been picked for the team who will go to the Czech Republic at the end of April to play in a tournament, as well as Latvia and Scotland.

The Abraham Derby Academy student, from Lightmoor, Telford, has been playing ice hockey since the age of five and currently plays and captains Telford Tigers Under-18s.

Jesson started playing the sport at the age of five after his father Ian took him to a Telford Tigers game.

Ian said: "I took him along and he said he wanted to have a go at it and ever since then he has kept it up, he just had a natural talent for it."

Jesson's talent has not gone unnoticed, as well as training with the junior team he also trains with the senior Telford Tigers team.

Ian added: "He has been really excited about training with the senior team, that is an achievement in itself really at his age.

"They must have some faith in him to let him train with them but he just seems to take it all in his stride."

Jesson has also been recognised by the Shropshire Schools Sports and Athletics Association.

They receive funding support from Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council, who have funded his development in the sport.

Training three times a week with the Tigers, as well as training with the pro team at such a young age, Jesson has represented England since the age of 11.

He featured for England in the Pee-Wee Tournament, the highest tournament for junior players held in Quebec, Canada.

Ian added: "It is brilliant to see him succeeding, I just hope he carries it on.

"He has sacrificed his social life for the sport. He does not really see any of his friends outside of school, he just goes to school and trains and repeats the process."