Sixteen-year-old rugby player Abby Blackburn has had a fantastic season.

As well as captaining her Club U16 Girls' Team at Darlington Mowden Park, she has been captain of Durham County and has had the privilege of being captain of the North East of England regional squad. Playing scrum half or number 8 she has enjoyed the success of all 3 teams she's been involved with and has just heard that she has been selected by the RFUW (Rugby Football Union for Women) to attend the Junior England Development Camp at Loughborough University in July. This could lead to her being invited to England trials for the Women's Under 18 squad at the beginning of next season and possible selection for England. Abby's dream is to play rugby for her country.

Abby says: "Last year I won a place at the England Development Camp at Loughborough and was desperate to be chosen again. However at the Lichfield Regional 12s when the England selectors were present, I got injured and only played a couple of games. I thought this would stop me from being picked and so was absolutely thrilled to get the letter inviting me back to Loughborough."

Abby is a pupil at Hummersknott Language College in Darlington and is currently in the middle of her GCSE exams. When she leaves school she will pursue her ambition of playing rugby for England by continuing her A level studies at Houghall Rugby Academy in Durham.