A WOMAN has praised her "exceptional" rugby teammates for "saving her life", ahead of International Women's Day tomorrow.

Rachael Turnbull, who suffers with bipolar and borderline personality disorder, has thanked her teammates for "rescuing" her and giving "so much more than the 80 minutes of a rugby game".

The Darlington Ladies inside centre said: "I was lost in my own mental health problems when I found rugby, and these ladies rescued me.

"I had an unbelievable amount of anxiety and no self confidence at all. From the very training session, I was took under their wing.

"Every week, showing up got easier. It wasn’t just about the playing rugby, I was making friends.

"Until one day the suicidal thoughts had gone."

After a year playing, the 35-year-old entered the 'The This Girl Can' campaign and shared her story online.

"And I was anxious all over again. But once the story was released, every single lady on the team messaged me and told me how proud they were," she said.

"We all have different backgrounds but make up one great family, dealing with mental health issues, personal matters and death.

"The team talk very openly about mental health now, with a few others girls sharing their own experience too.

"We are a safe place to talk and ask for help if we need it.

"Our team is exceptional not just because we play great rugby, but because we are strong, independent and fierce women.

"We push each other to do better and stand with each other in times of need. We build confidence and we create opportunity.

Captain of the team, Ali Bell, 47, said: "It’s really important to us that everyone feels like they belong, regardless of age or experience, everyone brings something.

"When you find rugby you don’t just find a team, you find a family. That’s what we are, what keeps us together and keeps us strong."

Darlington Ladies Rugby Team are of mixed ages, currently from 18 to 50, and play at Blackwell Meadows.

They are currently fourth in the Women’s Championship North 2 2019-20.