TINA Leslie has been selected in the England under-18s’ Centre of Excellence.

The 16-year-old - who plays at hooker - has already attended her first training session with the squad.

And Tina’s mother Ann was delighted to see the youngster get the call-up.

“Tina was one of 14 girls from the Essex under-18 squad to be put forward for trials and we were all so happy when we found out she had been successful,” said Ann.

“She’s been joined by seven other girls from Essex, which is great, and this is all under the England umbrella too.

“This is a new programme which has been put in place with the centres of excellence and the one Tina attends is with Saracens.

“This is the pathway in place before the England under-18 squad and the under-20s, so it’s great Tina is part of this and she’s really been enjoying it so far.”

Tina - who lives in Hockley - plays her club rugby at Rochford Hundred.

But she only took up the sport after deciding to turn her back on dancing.

“When Tina was young she did a lot of dancing but decided to come away from that so we wanted to try and find something else she could do,” explained Ann.

“Her father had always played rugby and was at Westcliff so we knew all about the sport and I just happened to see a poster asking for girls to go and play for Rochford.

“She went along and, after three weeks of training, she joined the under-10 team.

“It’s all gone on from there really and it’s definitely helped with her confidence.”

Tina has gone on to represent Essex, as well as England Rugby London and South East.

But the youngster could end up playing the smaller-sided version of the game.

“Tina’s ultimate dream is to play for Great Britain’s sevens side in the Olympics,” said Ann.

“She has the power to play anywhere in the front row but she also has the pace to play in the backs so she’s suited to playing sevens too.

“We’ve been told there will come an age where she will have to choose between sevens and 15-a-side which seems a shame.

“But at the moment Tina is just enjoying all the opportunities she’s getting to play rugby.”

Tina is currently in Year 11 at the FitzWimarc School in Rayleigh.