KEIGHLEY taekwondo star Leah Moorby is looking forward to a double international appearance, having been called up for the Great Britain Under-21 squad for the first time.

She represents her country this week at the Junior European Championships in Latvia and will then step up in the Under-21 European Championships in Bucharest, Romania, which take place from November 19-22.

Selection in the higher age bracket came as a welcome surprise for Leah, who only turned 16 last month and will be among the youngest in the competition.

However, the British and Commonwealth champion is used to that status as last year she was the youngest member of the GB team in the 2014 Junior Championships, winning a bronze medal and narrowly missing out on a final place.

Leah is no stranger to Bucharest, where she made her international debut when she captained the GB cadet team in the European Championships, again winning a bronze medal before losing her semi-final on a golden point.

The Oakbank student, who works with strength and conditioning coach Paul Royston, won her third consecutive British title in September at the Manchester Velodrome and has remained undefeated again this year domestically.

Leah's dad Gary – former head coach at Keighley Cougars – said: "Leah continues to move forward and really enjoys rising up to new challenges.

"Her transition to the junior ranks has been really successful and the Under-21 selection will help her with the next transition to the senior ranks.

"You are allowed to compete as a senior in the year you turn 17, as well as still being able to compete as a junior, so the plan is for her to feature in selected senior events next year, as well as putting herself in contention for a place in the 2016 Junior World Championships.

"Once again we would like to thank everyone who has supported Leah again this year, including her school who have been really supportive.

"We recently held a fundraising race night at Branshaw Golf Club where we managed to raise £2,500 which will fund Leah in forthcoming events. People have been really supportive and we very much appreciate that."

Her club coach Kathy Hook at Doncaster-based Team Ultimate added: "Leah has looked strong and confident in training. Her performances this year have been of high standard and she is capable of doing very well in the Europeans.

"Her selection at Under-21 level, having barely turned 16, shows how much she has impressed the GB selectors. This will be a fantastic opportunity."