Young hockey player Liam Doidge has been celebrating after being called up to represent the South East regional side.

The 14-year-old from Woolwich will represent them against the other English regions at the under-14 tournament being held in Somerset, which starts tomorrow.

And Liam could be selected to play for England if he impresses watching selectors.

His proud dad Colin said: "It's a tremendous achievement. It's quite tough to get into a regional side and you must be recommended by the county team."

Liam joined Bexleyheath & Belvedere Hockey Club when he was 12, before switching to Southgate Hockey Club, in Middlesex, to be coached by, among others, ex-England international John Shaw.

From there, he started playing for Middlesex's county team.

Colin added: "It's good because the Middlesex team gives everyone an opportunity to play.

"My wife and I were interested in hockey and took Liam down to BBHC. A year later, we moved him to Southgate as they have a lot more youngsters of the same age, which is better for him.

"It's a fair amount of travelling as they train in Staines, but it gives him the opportunity to make it to the big time."

Like most talented children, Liam is also good at other sports. He plays Gaelic fooball and soccer for his school St Paul's, in Abbey Wood, and is going to Dublin with the school for a Gaelic fooball tournament in May.

Colin added: "He trains twice a week in Southgate, with matches on a Saturday and once a month for the South East region in Eastbourne.

"He's slowly progressing and we'll see how he improves. He's well committed to playing hockey and he can easily progress through the ranks to national level but it's up to him."