Twenty Herts girls make a little piece of history

The names of the twenty players who will be the first girls to ever take part in Herts RFU's "Athlete Support Programme" have been announced:

Nikki Alcock (Letchworth), Emma Burgess (Hertford), Megan Childs (Saracens), Francis Dawson (Welwyn), Rebecca Dawson (Welwyn), Amanda Finch (Saracens), Milly Fuggles (Hertford), Hannah Gallagher (Welwyn), Hayley Guilder (Letchworth), Carla Kelly (Letchworth), Harriet Lilley (Welwyn), Hannah Marques (Welwyn), Alex Robertson (Saracens), Jess Robinson (Letchworth), Claire Shutler (Saracens), Gerry Thomas (Fullerians), Natalie Threlfall (Letchworth), Emily Vivian (Letchworth), Melissa Waite (Hitchin), Megan Williams (Welwyn)

Up until now the programme - run mainly during the summer at the University of Hertfordshire - has been restricted to the top U15 boys in the county, but this year half of the places have been allocated to girls, and the county coaches have selected the leading girls aged U16 or younger.

The twenty will now take part in a series of fitness and conditioning evenings in June and July lead by the University's Sports and Social Science Officer, Fiona Castree. They and their parents will also receive advice on nutrition and athletic development throughout the rest of the year.