England international Kim Shaylor was last night (Sunday) among the main award winners at the BBC Midlands Sports Awards held in a ceremony at the National Motorcycle Museum.

Shaylor, who is also captain of Worcester Ladies RFC, won the female Breakthrough Award which recognises the giant strides she has taken in her chosen sport over the last twelve months.

The talented centre/wing has earned 14 caps for England and was recently part of the international squad who toured New Zealand in preparation for next year’s Rugby World Cup in Canada, in which England are ranked second. She made her England bow against Wales in 2004.

“I have never won any award in my life before so to hear my name read out at the awards ceremony was a massive shock but also a great surprise,” said the 24-year-old.

“I am absolutely delighted, but I am also delighted that a sport like women’s rugby has been recognised. Recognition like this can only be good for the game which is increasingly growing in popularity.

“This has been a massive year for me so far – getting into the England Elite squad, playing against the Black Ferns in New Zealand for the first time and winning this award. Hopefully it can only get better in 2006 with the World Cup in August, which we are going to Canada to win.”

Before taking up rugby Shaylor used to be a springboard diver for Great Britain juniors. She grew up in Derbyshire and when not playing rugby she is studying for a medical degree in Birmingham.

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