A women’s rugby union team has been nominated in the National Diversity Awards 2020.

Workington Zebra Finches has been nominated in the gender category of the prestigious awards.

Winners are chosen partly via a public voting system and nominations have been extended until June 8 with the ceremony pencilled in for September 25, potentially to be televised by ITV from Liverpool Cathedral.

Team captain Charlotte Bowman said: “It’s been great for the team to be recognised in this way. It’s shown how diverse we are as a team. We are open to any age, we accept anyone.”

She added that the team is diverse in its experience level, and people with an interest in rugby union can take part in training even if they don’t feel ready to compete.

Workington Zebras, as a club, is supporting frontline doctors and nurses with a new jersey emblazoned with the rainbow and all proceeds will benefit NHS charities.

While play is suspended due to the pandemic, the club is taking part in a series of challenges designed to keep players physically fit, knowledgeable on the sport and working as a team.

Zebras' club head coach Daniel Bowman said: “We split the club up into teams and we set them challenges: there’s a skill challenge and a physical challenge and we have a legend of the week.”

Players earn points for completing each challenge. The legend of the week tasks them with researching the career of a former rugby union player. Bowman said: “It’s been building up a rapport with different players.”

Charlotte added that the challenges have brought players out of their shells and given people a chance to lead who would not usually get the opportunity.

“It’s been interesting. We’ve been put into groups where we don’t know everyone. It’s been really good to see how people have taken to them, getting out of their comfort zone.”

To support the award bid, visit: https://nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/nominate/27577/