RUGBY-playing sisters returned to their New Forest roots to inspire a new generation of rugby players and remind them that #ThisGirlCan.

Poppy Cleall plays for Saracens RFC and England, while her sister Bryony is also a Saracens player. They returned to Ellingham and Ringwood Rugby Club (ERRFC), where their love of the game began as young players. The sisters spent two days training junior players as part of the rugby camp. While there, they took a short break to help promote New Forest District Council's #ThisGirlCanNewForest campaign.

#ThisGirlCan is a national Sport England initiative which aims to encourage more women to be active, no matter how well they do it, how they look or even how red their face gets. The council has launched #ThisGirlCanNewForest to help empower local women to overcome any fear of judgement preventing them from taking part in activities.

The New Forest has the biggest gap in activity levels between men and women in Hampshire, with men being among the most active in the county and women the least.

Calling for support for the campaign, Poppy said: "Women and girls can be put off taking part because of what they think people will say about the way they look or how good they think they are.

"Seeing other women and girls, like them, who are active in their everyday lives, can overcome the fear of judgement and help to encourage them to get involved. That is why, with the council, we are asking women and girls who are active, whatever age or ability, to support the campaign."

Councillor James Binns, NFDC's portfolio holder for leisure and wellbeing, added: "It is brilliant to have Bryony and Poppy's support for #ThisGirlCanNewForest. They are fantastic role models in a sport which has traditionally been seen as a man's sport, and the barriers they may have faced have not stopped them succeeding."