YOUNGSTER Gillian McHugh has been amazing crowds when taking to the pitch to play rugby.

But it's not the fact Gillian is playing a male-dominated sport that is stunning people - the brave 11-year-old is visually impaired.

The Sudell Primary School pupil has difficulty reading print, but with the help of her classmates and head teacher Adrian Woods, she is not letting her handicap get in the way of her favourite sport. The Darwen school has been taking part in, and winning, the New Image Rugby Tournament with other schools in the area. Teams comprise boys and girls but instead of tackling, they tag each other to gain possession of the ball.

Mr Woods said Gillian was proving to be an inspiration to the whole team. "She really is an incredible girl and doesn't let the fact she can hardly see get in the way," he said.

"I've been coaching the team and Gillian's enthusiasm and commitment is outstanding. She can only see the ball when it's extremely close up to her and then I shout from the sidelines to let her know where to go. I'm extremely proud of the whole team.

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