A GREENOCK girl is on the ball after landing a prestigious top job at Scottish Rugby to encourage more girls and women to take up the sport.

Caitlyn Haldane is the new partnerships and projects officer for women and girls at the governing body for rugby union in Scotland.

The 24-year-old, who previously worked as a teacher at Aileymill Primary School, says she is over-the-moon to finally land her dream job.

She said: “This is something I’ve always wanted to do.

“Since I started becoming involved with rugby, I have been in contact with the Scottish Rugby Union and have been helping to encourage more girls to take up the sport.

“As much as it was a hard decision to leave teaching, it was a great move as this is a dream opportunity.”

Caitlyn, who was named as the Tele’s Sporting Champion of the Year at our first Community Champions event this summer embarked on a mission three years ago to set up a women’s team at Greenock Wanderers.

Through her infectious passion for the sport, Caitlyn managed to build up a formidable side that has quickly risen through the ranks.

She set up an under-15 team and is also the face of Scottish Rugby’s campaign to change perceptions about the women’s game and increase participation.

Caitlyn, who is now based at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, will travel across the country in her bid to encourage more females to give the game a try.

She said: “I will be starting a project with girl guides and going to local authorities across the country.

“I will be training the guide leaders so they are able to deliver sessions for themselves.”

Caitlyn will also be involved in the next phase of the Scottish Rugby’s ‘#BeTheBestYou’ campaign which aims to introduce more girls in school to rugby, focussing on additional support for secondary schools for girls aged 12-17 years old. 

She added:”It’s a really exciting time.

“I’ve moved to Edinburgh and I’m loving it.

“I’m training with a rugby team in Edinburgh but I’m still playing for the Wanderers.”

Caitlyn is also on Scottish Rugby pathway programme which aims to train women to hopefully play rugby for Scotland.