Charlotte joins England U18 Rugby Training Squad

Leighton Park School is delighted to announce that Sixth Form student and Sports Scholar, Charlotte, has been selected for the U18 England Women’s Rugby Training Squad. This remarkable achievement places Charlotte among the final 36 players vying for a place in the squad for the U18 Six Nations Championship in April 2025.

“It feels super exciting and very pleasantly surprising to be taking a big step forward towards one of my lifetime goals, to play for the Red Roses!” Charlotte shared as she reflected on her selection.

Charlotte’s journey to this milestone has been nothing short of inspiring. She began playing rugby at the age of five in an all-boys’ team at Marlow RFC, transitioning to full contact rugby in their U11s boys’ team, before moving to Reading RFC U13s when the boys’ and girls’ teams separated. She has continued to play for Reading RFC U15s and now U18s. Her dedication and talent have seen her represent Berkshire for several years and progress through regional squads, including the Oxford Centre of Excellence and the Red Roses Player Development Group.

The rigorous training and competitions Charlotte has embraced, including her involvement with the UR7s Academy, have equipped her with the skills and resilience to succeed on the pitch. Charlotte also credits the support she has received at Leighton Park, “Leighton Park’s Sports Department has been incredibly helpful and supportive throughout my years here, particularly with rugby and physical training through Strength & Conditioning. As a sports scholar, I have weekly one-to-one sessions with Alice Ledson (Head of S&C) and access to additional resources like physio sessions at Go Perform through the APP programme.”

Balancing academics, personal life, and a demanding training schedule requires careful planning, but Charlotte remains committed to her goals. A typical week involves multiple gym sessions, team training with her club or county, individual sessions with her father, and matches most weekends.

Charlotte’s success is underpinned by lessons learned along the way. “I have learned to never, ever give up. The journey to success is not linear; there are ups and downs. What’s important is how you react to setbacks and keep believing in yourself,” she said.

For younger girls considering rugby or any sport, Charlotte offers heartfelt advice: “Take every opportunity you can! Even if you don’t know anyone or haven’t tried it before, just have a go. You’ll make friends and gain experiences you’ll never regret. I have really tried to do this across lots of different sports at LP. Before attending LP, I had never played hockey, but now absolutely love it.”

As Charlotte continues her journey towards the U18 Six Nations, the Leighton Park community proudly supports her achievements and eagerly anticipates the next chapter in her rugby career.

You can read the full press release from England Rugby here.

Further information on scholarships, including sport, can be found on our website.