THE next generation of North-East Olympians have found themselves taking on a 74-times capped Rugby World Cup winner during a whistle-stop visit to the region.

England Rugby star and TV personality, Maggie Alphonsi, encouraged sporty youngsters to pick up the oval ball and take their first steps towards a career in rugby in Darlington.

Ms Alphonsi, an England international and Spirit of Rugby ambassador, took over the town’s Market Square on Saturday (July 23) in a bid to get more girls involved in the sport that is traditionally male-dominated.

The visit on behalf of the Spirit of Rugby project was brought to the North-East via the Spirit of 2012 fund which aims to radiate London’s 2012 Olympic Games across the region.

And with women’s Rugby Seven’s set to debut in Rio next month, Ms Alphonsi hopes the interactive workshop will see more women giving rugby a go.

“I’ve had a fantastic day,” said Ms Alphonsi. “It has been terrific to see so many women and girls trying out rugby, and trying out something new.

“Women’s rugby is a game like no other. It’s a sport for the many, not the few, and I hope today that I have helped show people what fun this sport can be.

“Rugby has certainly had a massive positive effect on my life and I want to see other people benefit from the sport too.”

Spirit of Rugby funded projects are organised exclusively by 16 to 24-year-olds with the aim of increasing participation through innovative and engaging events.

For Darlington, project leaders have organised Scrub Down, Scrub Up sessions to show that women and girls can be both feminine and play the sport by taking part in a rugby masterclass before enjoying a beauty session.

Darlington Spirit of Rugby project leader, Mark Moss, said: “We’ve had a great variety of people of all ages, abilities, boys and girls attending and enjoying themselves and getting to see and experience what community rugby is all about.

“This has also been a great opportunity for both Darlington and Mowden Park rugby clubs to grow their youth and women’s divisions through fairly simple activities which are not only fun but have great health benefits too.”

For more information, visit findrugby.com