Lydia nets England call-up

The 18-year-old from Hastings has been named in the England squad for the 2015 U19 European Championships, which will take place in Lubin, Poland, from March 26-April 4.

Powell is one of five girls in the England squad along with Ira Banerjee, Jess Hopton, Kirby Ngan and Jess Pugh. There are also five boys in the England party.

Former Parkwood 6th Form student Powell was featured in last week’s Observer Sport after clinching the women’s doubles title at the U19 English National Championships 2015 in partnership with Hopton. Powell also reached the women’s singles final, in which she was narrowly beaten by Banerjee.

Powell is currently taking part in the Yonex Dutch Junior 2015 where she is among the seeded players in singles and doubles despite the presence of a number of talented Asian players. Next week she will line up in the Yonex German Junior 2015.

Last year Powell represented England at the BWF World Junior Championships 2014 in Malaysia.