Five Castleford girls chosen for England training squad

Castleford RUFC's Abi Burton, Emma Hardy and Tilly Churm are pictured in their Academy kit.

Jasmine Bell, aged 17, Abi Burton, Tilly Churm and Emma Hardy, aged 16, and Kayleigh Waller, aged 15, play their club rugby at Castleford. They have been very successful at club level, winning regional and national championships over the past two years.

Their hard work in training and their outstanding match day performances have been rewarded with their selection.

Also selected for the training squad are 16-year-old Ellie Kildunne and 15-year-old Bryony Field who play for West Park Leeds RUFC. Over the past season all the girls have played for the Yorkshire under 15 or under 18 teams who have have remained undefeated in all their matches.

The onfield successes at club and county led to the girls being selected to play a number of Academy matches for the North of England where their obvious talents were spotted by RFU national selectors.

All the girls recognise that without the hard work of their Academy coaches Carl Patterson, Richard Wareham, Jon Benson and Rob Thomson, who is also the Rugby Development Officer for the North of England, it would not have been possible to take this next step in their rugby careers.

They have thanked them for the huge amount of time and effort put into developing the girls so far.

Casstleford RUFC will hold a rugby camp, led by England Women’s World Cup winner Tamara Taylor, on Tuesday, July 26 (9am to 4pm).

The camp is for experienced players and absolute beginnners from school years seven to 13. The cost is £10. Girls are asked to bring a packed lunch, drinks and sun cream. To pre-register for the camp contact Steve Ball at [email protected] or ring 07707927090.

Castleford RUFC are also staging a ‘Ladies Have A Go Day’ on Saturday, June 25, from noon to 2pm, for those interested in trying the sport.