A woman is hoping to travel to the other side of the world next year to represent her country at rugby.

England’s women’s deaf rugby team is trying to raise money to pay their travel costs to Australia to play in the first world deaf rugby sevens tournament.

The team was co-founded by Gina Iaquaniello, from Ayelands, New Ash Green, in 2003 and she has been selected to represent England in the Australian sevens tournament.

All the players have to raise £2,500 towards their trip which is April 22 to 26 next year.

Gina has made a start and has already raised the first few hundred pounds but still has a long way to go.

Gina, 45, had an accident at work in 1999 which left her deaf but, having played rugby for more than 25 years, she was not going to let it stop her carrying on with her passion. She started playing for the England’s women’s deaf team in 2012.

Back then, the team was small but over the years it has grown in to a full side of 15 players. Gina is the manager of the deaf men’s side as well as the women’s, and she has also captained the women for the past three years.

She said: “We have a really close bond in this team even though we are from all different walks of life.

“The team is the only real time I socialise with other deaf people.

“We talk about funny deaf experiences together and communicate better because we make it easier for each other to lip read.

“We also haven’t let our disability get the better of us. We just get on with it.”

The team travelled to Yorkshire a few weeks ago for a practice sevens tournament ahead of next year’s challenge.

Gina said: “I’m really excited for the trip to Australia, it’s an amazing opportunity. I’ve never been there and I’m never going to get another bite of the cherry.”

You can help Gina on her way by donating here.