A TRAIL BLAZER FOR WOMEN’S RUGBY

Sixteen-year-old Hannah Lane only started playing rugby two years ago, but she has aspirations to play the game professionally.

Hannah, who plays for Chester RUFC, which Cullimore Dutton sponsors, has recently been capped by Wales Under 18s.

The schoolgirl winger from St Asaph is now dreaming of playing professionally for Wales.

She said: “I started playing rugby in PE in school and then went on to play for a local team in Abergele and really enjoyed it. I now play for Chester RUFC.

“My ambition is to play for Wales in the future and maybe go into Rugby Sevens as well as the 15-a-side game. My dream is to play the game professionally.” as well as the

Hannah’s dad Andy said: “We’re so proud of Hannah. She is the first in the family to really embrace rugby.

“She was hooked immediately after playing the game when she was only 14 at an after school club at Emrys Ap Iwan in Abergele. She joined Abergele U16’s team straight after.

“Age grade rugby for girls in North Wales is early in its development and clubs that have the numbers to play competitive games are few and far between. Hannah was lucky to find Ruthin Ravens.

“Turning up to see more than twenty girls on the pitch, working on fitness as well as individual skill, it’s the first time Hannah really started to understand the game.

“She instantly found role models and set her goals to compete with them and learn from them which she did by giving her all to every training session.

“At 15, she was playing up with U-18’s and that gave her some great experience and physicality.”

Last year Hannah was invited to trial for Sale Sharks before joining Chester RUFC for the new season.

Andy said: “Hannah was delighted to join Chester where she instantly felt at home and benefited from some quality coaching in an encouraging environment.

“She was also invited to attend the extended Welsh squad for further development training and assessment with the Welsh coaches along with some of her Chester colleagues that were also playing at North Wales Rugby.

“Until this year she’s only dreamed of being a Welsh International, but having attended a number of invitational training events and regional play-offs against other Welsh regions she’s been able to realise her dream and put on the Welsh shirt, earning her first cap in the first U-18’s international women’s rugby match ever between England and Wales. It was extra special because the game was played where rugby was invented - at Rugby School.”

A spokesperson for Chester RUFC said: “We are very proud of Hannah and that she has been capped by Wales Under 18’s. She recently took part in a game against England and we are sure that this is just the first stage in an illustrious international career.”

Andrew Wright, Managing Director of Cullimore Dutton, said: “We’re proud to sponsor Chester RUFC and to help support inspirational young rugby players like Hannah.”