Rugby success for Castleford girl
Published on: 6th January 2012
Castleford RUFC is celebrating the success of their Girls’ U15 Captain, Megan Owens, in being invited to the North of England Divisional U15 trial programme on 22 January 2012 at Bradford.
Megan, a Year 10 pupil at Castleford Academy, has impressed the talent spotters during her performances for the Yorkshire RFUW U15’s team this season and the call to the Divisional level is reward for her efforts on the rugby field and in training. Castleford born and bred, a supporter of the Tigers, and so Castleford through and through, Megan has emphasised how rich a vein of rugby talent there is at the Academy and the Rugby Union club, where her grandfather played and her uncle and father and two brothers still play.
Her coach, Steve Ball has said about Megan’s achievement “I’ve known Megan for a number of years and she was voted Players’ Player of the Year last season but this year she has become more determined and this has paid its dividends. I see no reason why she cannot make progress even beyond the North of England Divisional level if her talent is nurtured and she is encouraged to fulfil her undoubted potential. She has grown in confidence and I hope her success inspires other pupils and team mates to see what rugby can offer and to seek representative honours themselves, too”.
Castleford Academy encourage girls to take up and maintain their interest in sport and Castleford RUFC is actively searching for girls from school years 6 and 7 to join their U13, years 8, 9 and 10 for their U15 and years 11, 12 and 13 for the U18 girls’ rugby squads. The club’s recruitment drive emphasises the benefits of being a member of a club with true family values. Steve Ball adds, “Our girls have made new friends beyond their own school. Many of them have other family members associated with the club but we want to broaden our player base and we will provide a warm welcome to all who fancy playing; from absolute beginners to experienced players. Our investment in the infrastructure of the club, with new changing rooms, shows our commitment to provide facilities for our young players and I’m particularly interested in showing how girls can enjoy their sport in an environment that is friendly and encourages participation; we can encourage many more like Megan to succeed.”
