AT THE beginning of this season 16-year-old Sally Austen, a student at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Darlington, started playing rugby and since then has never looked back.

Encouraged by a friend, she went along to a girls' training session at Darlington Mowden Park RFC, liked what she saw and joined the team.

She has since made remarkable progress and in less than a year has represented the North-East region and has now been selected for a RFUW Personal Development Academy in Nottingham in July.

The Academies are designed to spot exceptional talent, develop skills and help progress players into the Women's England rugby teams.

Sally, whose position is in the second row, says: "It's exciting and I'm really looking forward to it. It's a great opportunity, but at present I'm concentrating on doing my AS Level exams in PE, Maths and IT.

When they are over I'll focus totally on getting ready for the Personal Development Academy."

Mark Scott, Sally's PE teacher at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, said: "Sally is a good all round sportswoman. She is not only talented, she has commitment and the right attitude to succeed.

She also gives of her time and helps at a gym club supporting young athletes. She deserves to do well."

When Sally leaves College she hopes to train to become a PE teacher.