A SPORTS-mad youngster from Leamington is preparing to take to the pitch with the England women’s rugby team.
Milverton Primary pupil Vishaka Gupta will run out with the team ahead of their Six Nations clash against Ireland at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena on Friday March 16.
The ten-year-old was invited to support the team after arena bosses heard about her love of sport.
Vishaka’s mum Preeti said: “In her life Vishaka has broken many barriers and shown that girls are able to break many hurdles that may confront them.
“Indian culture is very male dominated but we have always taught her she can do whatever she puts her mind to and she has really taken it on board, I think she has a bright future ahead of her whatever she decides to do.
“She joined the scout movement instead of the socially accepted girl guides, she is training in Kung Fu and plays cricket with the boys at her cricket club as there is no girls’ team of her age.
“I have always explained to her that being a girl never stops her from doing anything.
“It will be an honour for her to be a mascot for the women’s rugby match, it will once again demonstrate to her that girls can do anything.”
And it will not be her first time as a mascot. Last year the sporty pupil walked out with the India women’s cricket team for their World Cup match against South Africa.
Ricoh Arena chief executive Nick Eastwood said: “Vishaka is a truly inspirational young lady, and when we heard about her story and her enthusiasm for sport, we were keen to invite her along to rub shoulders with the country’s best female rugby players.
Visit www.eticketing.co.uk/ricoharena for tickets and further details of the England-Ireland match.
