A new Elite Female Rugby Academy launched by Truro and Penwith College is encouraging girls to consider a professional career in the sport.

Over 25 girls have enrolled on exciting programme offered in partnership with the Exeter Chiefs. They will now benefit from training and guidance from full-time coaches and daily contact time alongside their college studies.

The college is an official partner of England Rugby and is proud to have seen many of its men’s academy players represent their country at international level. It will now offer talented young women the same opportunities to pursue their dream of stepping out at Sandy Park or even Twickenham.

To inspire and motivate the players ahead of the new term, the College welcomed a visit from Suzie Appleby, head coach of Exeter Chiefs’ women players.

She spoke to the players about the extensive pathways available to them both during and after their time at college, including university-level play in the BUCS National League, championship rugby with Exeter Athletic, the Women’s Premiership and even the chance to represent England’s national team, the Red Roses. 

Alongside assistant coach Steve Salvin and first team players Eilidh Sinclair and Stefania Evans, Appleby also held a training and scouting session on the college rugby pitch.

“We’re really working hard on developing our local players and bringing them up through the pathways,” she said. “There’s a big push and drive, and a lot of investment in the women’s game, from grassroots up through to the international level.

“To see numbers like this in Truro is amazing. They couldn’t be in a better place at a better time.” 

The newly formed Elite Female Rugby Academy also attended the prestigious Hartpury Rugby Festival for the first time in history, before the first-year students had even started college.

The event was live-streamed across the country, and offered an invaluable insight into the intensity of top-level rugby, providing a platform for the athletes to showcase their skills on a national stage.

First-year Elite Female Rugby Academy student Elizabeth said: “We’ve been given amazing opportunities. Girls’ rugby doesn’t have the same recognition that the boys do, but we want it just as much.”