Above: (L-R) Sarah Hunter visiting Dame Allan’s Schools, Annabel during a rugby match (Image credits: Crest Photography/Rainbow Family)

Sixth Form rugby player Annabel Rainbow has been selected for the prestigious U18s Player Development Group (PDG) programme, representing the North East of England.

Annabel, who is in Year 13, will now undergo additional expert coaching in four-hour sessions each fortnight, helping to finesse her rugby skills. She will then be part of an elite North squad of girls, competing against others from across the UK. 

Annabel, who recently attended four of the Red Roses’ World Cup games – including the final at Wembley – is thrilled to have been selected after challenging trials. She said:

“I am so passionate about rugby and it is amazing to have been selected for the U18s programme. I was lucky enough to see the Red Roses’ win, as well as some incredible women’s rugby at other matches, and think it is great that the sport is getting the recognition it deserves. My favourite player is Meg Jones, she is a great role model.”

The 17-year-old has been playing rugby since she was six-years-old, when she was the only girl on her tag rugby team. Nervousness around the transition to contact rugby made Annabel pause her involvement in the sport for a few years, before she picked it up again four years ago: “I was watching a rugby match at home and I realised how much I missed playing!”. 

Since then, she has played for Morpeth RFC and the Northern Amazonians, and at county level for Northumberland, before qualifying for her PDG place. Looking ahead to the future, Annabel, who is studying art, PE and psychology, hopes to study sports coaching or sports management at university, whilst maintaining her rugby career.

“I definitely think more girls should get into rugby, it is such an enjoyable sport!” said Annabel. “Unfortunately, rugby is still male-dominated and there can be a bit of a stigma around girls playing, with some people sadly seeing it as ‘unfeminine’ – but I hope the Red Roses’ victory will show just how incredible the game, and the women taking part, can be.”

The PDG programme will support Annabel and other young women to play competitive rugby and offer additional playing opportunities. The programme is run via the Sarah Hunter PDG Centre, named after the former England captain and coach.

 Sarah has previously worked with Dame Allan’s Schools on two occasions, visiting in 2023 to coach a session of girls’ rugby and chat to players, and as the guest speaker at the Schools’ sports awards in 2025. 

Speaking about Annabel’s success, Dame Allan’s Head of Rugby, Adam Hay commented:

“Annabel has been an absolute asset to rugby at Dame Allan’s as a player and sports leader. She has coached Year 7 players, refereed sevens games for our younger pupils, and offered strong leadership during the first ever county tournament for our U18s girls last year, which happily we won! It is fantastic to see her thriving in her rugby career.

“It has also been great to have Sarah Hunter involved with Dame Allan’s over the last two years. Sarah is a fantastic role model for Annabel, this has been so beneficial for Annabel and allowed her to be an inspirational role model for our current younger female rugby players within the school.

At Dame Allan’s, we are proud that our girls’ rugby is flourishing, with girls of all ages taking part in regular co-curricular clubs, team training sessions and competitive fixtures, including Rosslyn Park – the world’s largest school rugby tournament.”