Medway’s World Cup winner Rachael Burford is bringing her new girls-only rugby academy to Aylesford.

She visits the Jack Williams Ground on Thursday (8.30am-4pm) and is looking for players aged 10 to 15 to join her.

Burford, who runs a pilot camp in Surrey on Monday, said: “I’m expecting 15-20 girls at each camp, which is a good start.

“The idea is to grow it and I need to get the message out there that it’s for girls from all over the place.

“I want players from different clubs to come along and share their experiences, gain knowledge and make new friends.”

The women’s game is in a good place after England’s 2014 World Cup success and Burford felt the time was right to set up the first academy for girls.

She said: “We’ve been successful in the women’s game and when a sport grows, it gets more investment and grows again.

“There will be a spiralling effect over the next four or five years and hopefully we’ll be able to do something positive with the academy. No disrespect to any of the Premiership clubs but if they run girls’ camps, they’re tagged on the end of the boys’. Girls deserve to have their own academy.”

Players of all experience are welcome, with Burford a big believer in teaching the basics of rugby to get the best out of people.

Most of the work will be done on the pitch but there will also be two indoor sessions.

Burford added: “The twist is I look to develop players off the pitch. The sessions could be on confidence, team-building, nutrition, training, anything. If you develop people off the pitch, it helps their game.”

Places on the Aylesford camp cost £35. To book, call Rachael on 07708 916507, visit burford12.co.uk or email rb@burford12.co.uk