The first Weston Green Rainbow unit got a chance to meet two under-18 England players for a chat and a game of hockey in Esher last week.

The event, held at All Saints Church on Chestnut Avenue on Friday, September 21, was part of a worldwide programme of events called ‘Girls Can Do Anything’ which involves getting girls to get inspired by women speakers.

Surbiton Hockey Club players Autumn Brown, 18, who captained England three times this summer, and Issy Carey, 16, spent some time with the girl scouts to encourage them to get involved in sports.

Ms Brown and Ms Carey, who both play for Team GB’s under 18 division, shared their experiences and journeys into sport and played a 30-minute game of hockey with the girls.

Joanna Brown, 49, who helped coordinate the event, said: “It was about encouraging girls to take up sport. I got a couple of our England girls to go and have a session with them.

“It was really exciting, and I do not think any of the girls had seen a hockey stock or a hockey ball so for them to get into it is so encouraging and different.

“The little ones were just captivated. You could hear a pin drop.”