Millie Partridge: Meet the newest star of Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby's Women's Pathway

Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby hosted a series of training sessions, with the future stars of the GB Women's squad taking centre stage in the North East. The top women's wheelchair rugby players from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland banded together in Sunderland, blitzed through their training drills and made light work of France Women, who were invited across to Wear-side for two friendly matches.

Thursday's on-court action saw GB rack up back-to-back wins, with 42-34 and 47-35 triumphs putting out quite the statement of intent. At the heart of the action for Great Britain was Millie Partridge, the 16-year-old star who is backed for greatness as the women's game comes into it's own. Partridge spoke to RUCK after the second win over France, and was delighted to have gotten the opportunity to showcase her skills on the international stage.

"I think it's amazing for the representation of women in the sport. Getting this programme off the ground, especially getting two wins in one day, it's amazing. It's amazing for the women's team. Any games are really good for experience, especially with the new team coming through internationally. It's great to play France and hopefully other teams in the future."

"I'm thrilled for more women [to get] into the sport, especially considering there's very few women at the moment, but it's growing in numbers. It's a lovely atmosphere, especially for someone my age going into the sport and growing into it."

"This is my second time playing for GB women. We went to Paris to compete against France in Paris and a few other teams, and it's good experience."

The latest addition to the decorated squad of Division 1 Champions Cheltenham Tigers, Partridge will join up with the side coached by none other than Paul Shaw - the former head coach of Great Britain's Paralympic team. Partridge arrives in Gloucestershire having previously played for Northampton Saints, Norfolk Knights and the North East Bulls, and the future star is excited to sink her claws into Tigers life.

"I went from Northampton saints, which was a great start. They're an amazing club, to [now] Cheltenham Tigers. The coaching is amazing, and I'm learning so much through that." Partridge said.

The youngster is excited to see what the future has in store for her, as women's wheelchair rugby establishes itself on the global stage. "I think there's a great idea to have it all connected, it's women supporting women at that point, and more fans that can see this sort of sport and the representation of women in it is amazing."

"I'm in GB talent at the minute, and I hope, over the years, to get into an elite and play for my country more than once." she added. "It's definitely an exciting prospect. It's one of my dreams. Become an elite athlete and play for my country, other than now, and definitely travel the world with it. [I want to] See as much of the world as we can with this sport."