England call for duo at European Touch Rugby Championships

Louisa, 17, and Charlie Sambell, 15, will play for England's Mixed under-18s and Mixed under-15s sides respectively at the competition, which takes place in Vichy, France from August 16-19.

The siblings have been called up after impressing at an England High Performance Training Camp.

Louisa, who is also a lifeguard at Blackwater Leisure Centre and her younger brother Charlie, a student at Great Baddow High School, will be part of an England team consisting of 16 young athletes - ten boys and six girls.

(Image: NEWSQUEST)

The duo first started playing touch rugby at a fun fitness session held at their club, in South Woodham Ferrers.

In 2022, the club sent a combined team of kids and adults to play against mostly adult teams at a fun summer tournament, where Louisa and Charlie both shone.

Louisa won the female MVP (Most Valued Player) and the pair were invited to attend Essex Touch training sessions.

They impressed in the first session, leading to them attending the Midland Touch trials, in Cambridge.

After a few trial sessions, both Louisa and Charlie were then selected for Nationals, where Louisa won the female MVP.

(Image: NEWSQUEST)

It led to them attending training sessions at the High Performance Training Camp for England Touch, in Nottingham.

Louisa was picked to play for the mixed under-18s squad in the FIT (Federation of International Touch) Youth Atlantic Cup last July in Nottingham, where the team lost out in a play-off.

The pair were selected for England High Performance Training Camp sessions again this year, leading to their England call-ups.

Touch rugby is a completely self-funded amateur sport, where every athlete pays their own way.

Costs include kit, accommodation, entry fees, travel, medical and training fees, adding up to an estimated £1,500-£2,000 per player.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to try and raise £1,500 to help support the young duo, ahead of their trip to France to represent England.