A NUMBER of last season’s successful Devon Under-15 girls’ team have been rewarded with places on the RFU’s Player Pathway Centre of Excellence programme.

Devon were asked to nominated players moving up from under-15 level to under-18s this season to attend an assessment day in Bristol.

And following that day a host of first-year under-18s have been offered centre of excellence places. These include Paignton’s Hannah Hughes, Tavistock/Devonport’s Caitlin Piper, Kingsbridge’s Olivia Churcher, Devonport’s Maddison Lidstine, Crediton’s Grace Eckford, Bideford’s Keira Worrall and Exeter Saracens’ Harriet Bond.

“Being first-year under-18s this year, the girls have done incredibly well to be selected,” said Devon under-15 coach Hammy Kerswill.

“The 2017-18 Devon season was our most successful year, winning 100 per cent of our games and topping the South West table. This was mainly due to a special group of players who have been excellently coached at their clubs and all have fantastic work-rates and strive to succeed.

“I have no doubt we will see these girls and many more progress into Premiership rugby and maybe further one day.

“Although these girls have now moved out of the under-15s, we have plenty of talent still within our clubs and I am excited to get trials underway in the new year.

“This year the RFU have opted to delay the girls’ representative season until January to allow time for the club season to settle and the centre of excellence to get underway.

“On behalf of Devon, I would like to congratulate these girls and wish them the best for what’s ahead.”