'The Red Roses are fantastic role models for girls'

The coach of a girls rugby team has said watching England's Red Roses makes her players think "hey, I can do that too".

Nicole Sturges-Brookes is head coach of the girls squad at Vectis RFC on the Isle of Wight - where nearly 300 boys and girls between the ages of 6 to 18 play each Sunday.

She said the "shift" in women's sport over recent years had been "incredible to watch", with the England national team becoming household names across the country.

Her comments come as Vectis launch a recruitment drive to get more girls into the sport, coinciding with the start of the Women's Six Nations on Saturday.

Struges-Brookes said she got into the sport after her two sons began playing, causing her to "reflect" on her own childhood.

"If I had been allowed to play rugby as a young girl, I would have absolutely loved it," she said.

"I would have finally felt included in a sport where I could achieve something, instead of being the one who was always picked last.

"I want to make sure no girl at Vectis ever feels that way."

Following their World Cup triumph in 2025, Red Roses players - including BBC Sports Personality of the Year runner-up Ellie Kildunne - have become some of the UK's best known sportspeople.

"The Red Roses are phenomenal; they are showing the world that girls can play a tough sport," Struges-Brookes said.

She added the team were "fantastic role models on and off the field" who "prove you can bring a sense of fun to high-pressure games".

"Our girls see that and realise, 'Hey, I can do that too'," she added.

The Red Roses kick off their Six Nations campaign against Ireland at Twickenham live on on BBC One and iPlayer from 13:30 BST on Saturday.

You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.