THE powerful Hindley Pumas are tackling a rugby poser for young girl players.

They are kicking off the first squad in the Metro for U14s.

And the Pumas, who can boast two international tourists and train at Hindley Prison playing fields in Bickershaw, are inviting new players to join them.

Although there is an U16s side in Golborne, and girls can play in mixed teams until the age of 11, there has been nowhere in the borough for females aged 12-14 to play.

The Pumas' Glenis Heaton said this lack of opportunities for young women means many miss out on important years of training when they need to be developing their skills.

The formation of this new side will give the girls the chance to continue playing.

The winners of Division One of the National League, and Challenge Cup semi-finalists, two of the team members, Sharon Johnson and Jane Banks, play for the Great Britian squad and have been chosen to represent the squad on their tour of New Zealand.

Two other team members, Louise Atherton and Sarah Roper, have been selected for the Great Britian training squad, and three of the younger members, Kellie Reay, Leanne Thomas and Nicholette Postlethwaite, already play for the British Academy squad for 16/18-year-olds.

Glenis said: "We would welcome players of any ability; it doesn't matter if they've never played rugby before. There is a great team spirit throughout the whole squad."

Anyone interested can go along to training sessions on Mondays (8-9.30pm) or contact Ben Worthington at Wigan MBC leisure services department (sports development unit) on 01942 221953.

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