LEOMINSTER bowls player Tracey Powell has been named as captain of the England women’s team.

She will skipper the England team at the threeday Women’s British Isles Senior Team Championships in Jersey next month.

Powell received the news of her selection to the team - and the captaincy - in an email on Tuesday lunchtime.

“It’s a very nice surprise and I have had quite a few phonecalls about it already,”

said Powell.

“I was a captain at school but it was nothing like this.

“The captain used to be nominated by the players but, this year, the selectors have named it.

“I expect I will have to make a presentation and do a team-talk. But there’s a lot of support and we have our own mentors on the rinks.”

Powell has secured her place in the England team for the fourth successive year. England have won the tournament for the past two years and will be aiming to make it a hat-trick at Les Creux Bowls Club in Jersey.

There is added incentive for Powell because it’s her birthday on June 18 - the last day of the tournament.

“It would be a fantastic birthday present if we were to win it,” said the Leominster Bowling Club player.

England have matches against Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Jersey.

Powell will be playing at two with Lynne Bowen, Sharon Parnell and Pat Reynolds (skip).

“There are quite a few surprises in the squad which has 24 players and two travelling reserves”, said Powell, who works at Leominster Infants School.

“We won the event last year and the year before that, but they have brought in seven new caps and made eight changes.

“I led with Mo Monkton for the past three years but she has not made the squad this time.”

Powell and her England team have a warm-up match against the England Seniors’ International Men’s side on Sunday, May 31 at 11am at Norgren Bowls Club in S h i p s t o n - o n - S t o u r , Warwickshire.

“We will be playing against the England stars and we will be giving them a damn good game,” said Powell.