England's Tatyana Heard to lead session at Malton & Norton

The 29-year-old will be back at The Gannock on Sunday morning, where she will lead a training session and join supporters on a day championing grassroots women’s rugby ahead of next year’s World Cup, which will partly be held in York.

On the day, registration will open at 9:30am in the clubhouse. Heard will then run an hour-long session from 10am before an opportunity for pictures and signatures.

There are no requirements for the session, no special kit is needed, and it is free for anyone to come along. 

Later in the day, the club will also play host to an Under 14 Cup fixture and a ladies mixed-team game involving budding rugby players from a number of clubs across the locality.

Heard will lead a session with budding rugby players from 10am on Sunday. (Image: England Rugby) Natalie Featherstone, Girls Section Team Manager at Malton & Norton, enthused: “This is an incredible opportunity for local girls and women to come and train with one of the world’s best players who actually grew up in Kirkbymoorside and first laced her boots up at Malton.  

“She is an inspiration to many and for our current and future girls to be able to see that a career in rugby is possible is just amazing. 

“We are excited to have Tatyana back to show her just how far we have come as a club. We are constantly building on our already incredible pack and have teams for girls no matter their age, right from five-years-old through to adulthood and women’s rugby, there is literally a place for everyone!”

Heard’s visit is part of a Red Roses initiative that sees players return to their roots throughout November to give back to supporters and those who have helped mould them into the people that they are today.

Heard is a regular in the England set-up, seen here in action against France earlier this year. (Image: PA) The centre, who grew up in Kirkbymoorside, first laced up her boots for the club aged 11 after being inspired by brother Ali to take up the sport.

She has since gone on to become one of the club’s most successful products, having made 26 international appearances since her debut in 2018.

Domestically, she plies her trade alongside fellow former Malton & Norton youngster Rachel Lund at back-to-back Premiership Women’s Rugby champions Gloucester-Hartpury.