A TEN-year old Culcheth pupil who is the only girl on her school’s rugby team is showing people that gender does not matter when it comes to school sports.

Saskia Harry, from Birchwood, is a pupil at Culcheth Community Primary School and helped the rugby team get through to the next round of a tournament held at The Halliwell Jones Stadium before the match against Castleford Tigers on March 18.

Her father, Damian Harry, 43, said Saskia had to have her long hair cut short just before the tournament because she plays full contact rugby.

“She just plays because she likes it,” said Damian.

“I’m dead proud of her – she’s pretty and she’s tall and she’s really strong.

“I’m also proud of the school because I asked what their policy was on gender in rugby, because Saskia wanted to play, and they said if she wants to play then she can play.”

Saskia has been on the rugby team for a year and her father said there has been no sexism or problems with her gender because the boys want her on the team.

She also plays football and does boxing and her father said that sport has helped Saskia cope with stress at home and has built her confidence.

“Her teachers pushed her into sport to deal with things – she’s lucky that she’s got teachers that are really good.

“People say to me ‘wouldn’t you like a boy?’ because I’m a dad and I have three daughters, but I say why would I need a son?”

Karen Rodgers, PE coordinator and assistant head teacher at Culcheth Primary School, said the school encourages pupils to try any sport they might enjoy.

She said that although girls have tried rugby before, Saskia is the only one to play for the school team.

“She’s ambitious and she lives and breathes sports,” said Karen.

“A few girls have played once but as soon as the tournament finished on Friday Saskia wanted to play again.

“I think it’s about giving them the opportunity to experience different sports – we open it up to both boys and girls – we have boys on the netball team too.

“We want to give our pupils the best sporting choices.”