Several of the England Women’s Super 4s squad that was announced this week have been boosted with the news that they are to receive new government funding to help further their careers.

30 girls have been chosen as part of the 800 young sportsmen and women who have been backed by the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS), getting underway this autumn.

Georgina Roberts, the 20-year old full-back for England Students, is currently combining her training whilst studying at Bath University. She is excited about the introduction of the scholarship:

“I haven’t been playing rugby union very long but have really got into it. I’ve already played six games for England Students and have just come back from a tournament in France with the U20s Sevens side that we won. Things are going well and the introduction of the scholarship should help further,” she said. 

Georgina’s rugby rise has been dramatic, as she first picked up a rugby ball only 18 months ago. A natural sportswoman, she had already represented her country at volleyball at under-18 level. Now she is pushing to get into the full national rugby side.

Gary Street, Head Coach of the England Academy that provides an opportunity for the development of up and coming players said:

“Georgina’s development has pleased us all at the RFUW and the introduction of TASS will further assist her in developing into an even better player. Several of our elite players already benefit from lottery funding and this scheme will further help the development of women’s rugby in this country.”

The five times Olympic rowing champion, Sir Steve Redgrave, is acting as an Ambassador for the scheme. "TASS is an exciting idea which I hope will make a major contribution to producing the sporting talent we need to represent Britain in Beijing in 2008 and, I hope, in London four years later.,”  he said.

“I am pleased to be associated with it because I know how important it is to bridge the gap by ensuring that those who show exceptional ability at school go on to fulfill that potential as adult sportsmen and women."

The initiative is designed to make it easier for young people to continue to pursue their sporting careers after leaving school. TASS scholars, aged from 18 to 25 and in higher or further education, will receive sporting services worth £3,000 a year, including paying for the cost of coaching, sports science, physiotherapy and the use of training facilities. Bursaries, worth £1,000, will go to teenagers still in education or in first jobs.

To be eligible for the grants, young sportsmen and women have to be nominated by one of the 47 sports’ governing bodies that are backing the scheme. Fifteen sports for disabled people are included and their athletes can be aged up to 35.