CAPTAINING England Under-25s will be the highlight of Zoe Eagles' burgeoning international bowls career.

The highly-rated York player described it as a "great honour" to be chosen to lead her country in the U25s International Series at Erewash Indoor Bowls Club on February 7 and 8.

Eagles has been a member of the junior England squad for eight years and the senior squad for the last three years.

She will also line up in the senior side for the International Series at Stanley Indoor Bowls Club from March 6 to 8.

York Indoor Bowls Club ace Eagles said: "When I first started playing bowls, it quickly became a big part of my life.

"Since then, I have been dedicated to pushing myself to be the best I can. To play for my country was always my ultimate goal.

"I have now been in the Junior England Squad for eight years and the Senior England Squad for three.

"To be selected for both teams is a dream come true and every year feels just as special as the first.

"To walk out on the green together with your team-mates, England shirt on and national anthem playing, fills me with pride."

She added: "To have been selected for the role of U25s captain this year is a great honour and, up to now, is the highlight of my international career.

"The positive response I have received, not just from my fellow bowlers but also work colleagues, has been overwhelming.

"We have a very strong team of talented girls and I am looking forward to helping lead them, together with our team manager Mo Monkton, to victory."

Eagles revealed that her success on the greens is largely down to the support of her family, coupled withe the assistance of coach Ian Farrar and Helen Walker, a team-mate at club, county and national level.

"I would not have achieved the above without the continued support of my family, together with two other important people," she said.

"The first, Ian Farrar, was my coach when I first took up the sport. He dedicated a lot of his time helping me to improve my game, understand the tactics, and has been there to support me every year since.

"The second is Helen Walker. Helen took me into her teams a year or so after I started playing.

"We play together in all club, county and national competitions and, as an ex-international player herself, she has passed down her experience to me, which has been invaluable.

"I would like to say a big thank you to both of them."

Eagles will lead an England side that includes York team-mate Hayley Macdonald, who will be making her debut at this level after playing for England U18s in the past.

Fellow York bowler Adam Liddell has been selected for the England U25s team, with the men's games taking place in Glasgow on February 14 and 15.