The girls selected for the Centre of Excellence Programme are Katie Salter, Tilly Pulfer, Clara Johnson, Eva Lewis and Lilly Plowman, with Lilly being asked to join the England Talent Development Group that took place during the last weekend of October.
The Exeter Chiefs Centre of Excellence is designed to help highlighted talented girls in their development towards playing at the highest level they can.
A number of the players will be on the England Pathway and will join the other girls in aspiring to play Premier 15s and international rugby at senior level.
The Crediton girls become part of the Centre of Excellence and will follow a programme of eight to 12 hours of rugby per month delivered by the following Exeter Chiefs coaches: David Kimberley, Patricia Garcia, Kate Zackary, Gabby Cantorna, along with guest coaches and a strength and conditioning team.
The programme is delivered by Exeter Chiefs for the RFU and will involve two evenings a month and a Saturday session. There will also be fixtures and training with and against the other Centre of Excellence cohorts from around the country and some input from the RFU pathway coaches.
Crediton RFC has long had a Girls Section to be proud of with a rich history of players that have represented Devon, placements in the Exeter College Academy and through to Internationals.
This current cohort become the latest girls from the Black and Ambers to go on to achieve recognition for their hard work, dedication and abilities.
Their current coaches are delighted that the girls efforts have been seen by others, stating: “The philosophy that we have always had at the club is that, above all, the girls enjoy their rugby.
"Through all of the age groups the girls are encouraged to play for the love of the game, to be part of a team and to play hard, fair and in a sporting manner.”
They continued: “These girls highlight this ethos and are constantly, whether in training or during games, passing on their knowledge and experience for the benefit of all.”
Lilly Plowman only started playing the game in 2018 and, incredibly, has yet to complete a full season.
She joined the Kirton Club after the start of the 2018/19 season, and, like everyone else, had the 2019/20 season cut short by the pandemic, the next season almost ruined and is hoping that the 2021/22 season becomes the first that she plays from start to finish.
Her coaches were quick to praise her application during the down time that Covid forced on players, saying: “Lilly spent as much time as she could maintaining her fitness and improving her strength and conditioning and it’s this dedicated mentality that has helped her to achieve what she has so far and, we are sure, will drive her on to greater things.”
They finished by saying: “She is a hugely popular member of our squad, has no airs or graces about her abilities, is always helping others and the fact that she found out about her England call up and didn’t say anything about it speaks volumes about the kind of person she is.”
Proud Mum, Jackie, was quick to agree: “We are so proud and absolutely delighted that her hard work and dedication has paid off. The support of her coaches and team mates has been overwhelming and we wish her every success.”