A teenager from Penrhyndeudraeth has been signed to play rugby for Sale Sharks Women.

Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor student Mali Quaeck played for Rygbi Gogledd Cymru before being scouted for the English club, who will play in the top flight of the women’s game, the Premier 15s, for the first time next season.

Mali has just finished her A-levels at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor’s Pwllheli campus and is looking forward to studying at Liverpool University in September.

The back-row forward has been playing rugby since she was 13 years old. Starting at Caernarfon RFC and quickly becoming team captain, Mali progressed onto playing for RGC Under 18s when she was 15.

Last April she was part of the Wales development squad and helped Wales in their victory against England Under 18s at the Principality Stadium.

Mali also represented Welsh Colleges 7s in the AoC National Championship, which they won.

On her 17th birthday Mali was called up to train and play for the RGC senior team and competed in the Welsh Senior Regionals.

With the current lockdown measures in place, Mali, like her peers, has been spending her time very differently than usual.

When asked about how the lockdown has affected her personally and how she feels about the future, Mali displayed the positivity and determination which has helped her get to where she is today.

She said: “For the next few years I’m looking to do well in my degree as well as fulfil rugby goals. Lockdown has been difficult at times, and it’s true to say that every day has not been the ‘perfect’ day in terms of training and nutrition.

“I am very fortunate to have some gym and training equipment at home which has helped me stay focused and consistent with training and fitness. I’ve been coping in lockdown by training with what I have, getting outdoors, resting adequately, and focusing on eating nutritiously.”

Mali’s tutors at the college said they are extremely proud of her recent achievement with rugby and wished her luck with her A-level results in August.