Teenager invited to train at Twickenham inspires more girls to give rugby a try

A budding young rugby player is hoping to pave the way for girls in a traditionally male orientated sport.

Fifteen-year-old Megan Price has been playing rugby since she was 12 years old, starting out as the only girl playing on a team of boys at Eccles Rugby Club.

She now plays for Eccles RFC under 18s and Lancashire under 15s girls, as well as the north of England rugby union squad.

Megan, from Bowfell Close, Little Hulton has also been invited to train at Twickenham, the home of English rugby union, after being ranked among the most gifted and talented players in her age group.

She said: “I like sports in general and had played football before but never thought I would play rugby because it is a traditionally male sport.

“It can be a rough sport and I recently suffered a black eye while training but it hasn’t put me off.

“My ultimate aim is to play for England and I hope to inspire more girls to play rugby.”

Megan, a pupil at Mount St Joseph Business and Enterprise College in Bolton, was discovered by her coach Trevor Parrott while taking part in an Easter sports camp.

Her talent prompted him to start under 18s, under 15s and under 13s teams with 25 players.

The women’s team at Eccles has also been expanded.

He said: “I was hosting a community event in the park near her home and she was playing with friends.

“I noticed straight away that she didn’t have any fear of contact and would be ideal to play rugby so I asked her mum to bring her to the club.

“She has done incredibly well. My aim is to get a girl player for England and it could be Megan.”

Megan’s proud mum Emma said: “It all started when she came home and asked ‘can I play rugby?’.

“I agreed to take her to play on a Sunday and now here I am travelling across the country with her.

“She loves rugby and it is amazing to watch her.

“She has always been a bit adventurous so it shouldn’t be a surprise that she enjoys it.

“She is encouraging more and more girls to be involved in the sport.”

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Article source: http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/40-rugby-players-catch-dressing-room-thieves-1-3505428

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