Liskeard Leopard's player Kate Marks has been selected as one of 12 young people in England to sit on England Rugby's National Youth Council – the youngest at the age of 17.

The youth council is a group of 16–24-year-olds from across the country involved in all aspects of the game which works directly with the Rugby Football Union and England Rugby to help the growth and development of youth rugby across the country, especially focussing on player recruitment and retention.

Last year Kate was selected as one of four Young Rugby Ambassadors in the club when Liskeard Leopards girls rugby club was the only one in Cornwall to have been chosen. The young rugby ambassadors have been working to tackle important issues in rugby, specifically how to retain or attract players aged 16 to 24 years to the game.

Kate said: 'Through my role as a Young Ambassador for the 2015 Rugby World Cup and captain of the Cornwall County Squad 2013, I have been selected as one of 12 young people from across the country to serve on the RFU National Youth Council (NYC).'

Having started playing rugby just four years ago, Kate has played U15s rugby at Launceston and Cornwall and is in her third year playing for Liskeard Leopards.

As well as her national commitments, she is applying to Cambridge University, hoping to have an opportunity to play university rugby.

Part of the vision for women's and girls' rugby in Cornwall is to increase the number of senior ladies teams. Girls aged 10-18 years are always welcome to join the Leopards – contact Rachel Redgrove on 07770 372539 or Karl Thomas 07766 547960.

Ladies over 18 years are invited to a development morning at St Austell RFC on November 22 from 10am to noon. If you are interested, please contact: Ann Demaine on 07984 543986, Andy Demaine on 07930 533649 or Zeta Bailey on 07793 085479.