It's been a remarkable year for Hayley Legg.

Twelve months ago the Cricklade student wasn't playing rugby at all - but now she's an ambassador for the women's game, as she travels to South Africa in August on tour with Richmond women's rugby team.

At 17, Hayley is the youngest member of the top women's side in the country. It's an impressive achievement for someone who only got into the sport at the college a year ago, and Hayley says: "I tried tag rugby at school but I wasn't that great, but when I started playing again last year I really enjoyed it, and started playing regularly."

The south London side contain nine Six Nations players - and the Andover-based centre is confident she can join them, saying: "I'll be putting on an England shirt one day, it's going to happen soon".

Hayley is relishing the opportunity to travel around South Africa as part of the team this summer, as the players take on Springbok sides in competitive matches, travelling from Sun City, Johannesburg to Pretoria and Cape Town, undertaking coaching sessions in townships and spending some time enjoying the African scenery. All she needs now is sponsorship to help her achieve her ambition.

The talented player is from the same school - St Edmunds Girls' School and Sports College in Salisbury - as England star Emily Cook, and hopes one day to emulate her achievements. Before that, though, Hayley will be completing her BND in Sports Science at Cricklade.

Combining the sport and study has been tough for the teenager, who has to travel on the train to Richmond and back twice a week - a round trip that can take between three and four hours. But Hayley is focusing on her sporting career as well as her study, and says: "It's a long journey but it's worth it to play for the club. There's just not the same standard of rugby down here, and I wanted to play at the top level."

And now her long hours of hard work and training are paying off with the South African trip - as Hayley says: "I always wanted to go to South Africa, but to go there and play rugby will make it really special."

First, she needs to find sponsorship for the journey, and is looking for local businesses who might be interested in sponsoring her for as little as £100 up to £1,000. If you think you could help this sporting star of the future take the trip of a lifetime, contact her via the college student services on 01264 360 036.