SHEBBEAR College pupil Clara Nielson from Sampford Courtenay has been selected to participate in the Rugby Football Union for Women Festival in Lichfield. Clara, who trains with Tavistock RFU where she has been captain of the U15s this season, looks forward to training with the U18s next season. This year she has been captain of the Devon Girls' U15 rugby team and has been selected and played for the South West south U15 rugby team. From this regional team which covers Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset a few girls, including Clara, were selected to train with the England Schools of Rugby. This involved attending training sessions at Exeter Chiefs' ground. The Schools of Rugby train girls and boys who may one day be selected for the England teams. Clara is now into cricket as the rugby season has drawn to a close. She plays for Shebbear College first X1 and the U15s and for Hatherleigh Cricket Club U15s — where she is the only girl. She is currently playing for Devon Girls' U15s and U17 teams with matches against other counties planned.
