A YOUNG rugby player has been sidelined after being told she was the only girl in her age group.

Ellen Laurence, who will be 13 in December, has been part of the North Petherton Rugby Football Club for three years.

But she has now been told she can no longer play matches with the boys, due to her age, with Rugby Football Union (RFU) rules saying the sexes must be separated at under-13 level and above.

As Ellen is the only female player in her age group – not enough for a team – she has been reduced to just attending training sessions with her male counterparts.

But the Robert Blake Science College pupil wants to play competitively and her family is now appealing to more girls aged 12 and 13 to join the team to allow the sport-loving youngster continue to pursue her passion.

“Ellen absolutely loves rugby,” said her sister, Nicole.

“It’s such a shame that she can’t get involved with matches anymore because she’s too old to play with the boys.

“The club are doing all that they can to attract more girls, like open evenings on Fridays.

“She’s such a good player and she’s so keen.”

As well as taking part in rugby for three years, Ellen has also been involved with the sea cadets, as well as playing football and netball at school.

“She’s a real action girl,” said her mum, Rose Marie.

“She’s very upset that she can’t play matches anymore though.

“She goes to training but she just thinks what’s the point if she doesn’t get to do the scrums? She gets more stuck in than the boys and doesn’t want to join a different club because she loves North Petherton.”

North Petherton Rugby Football Club is holding open sessions for girls from year seven upwards every Friday at 7pm and is keen to hear from anyone interested in playing.

Sharon Sweet, club secretary, said all were welcome to go along and join in.

She said: “We have lots of girls in the younger age groups but once they reach age 11, 12 and onwards, they can’t train with the boys.

“We are looking for more girls to come and join us as it’s a good way to meet friends and keep fit.

“We can feed them into the ladies groups that way and there’s no better feeling than being part of a team.”

For more information, you can call Sharon on 07496-986279.