DANIELLE Waterman, who began her rugby career with Minehead Barbarians, flew out to South America on Monday as a member of Great Britain’s rugby sevens squad for the Rio Olympic Games.

The 31-year-old, who made her England international debut back in 2003, is one of the most experienced players in the squad, having appeared in three World Cups, including 2014 in Canada when England won.

“Its an unbelievable opportunity and I am really excited,” said Danielle, known as Nolli.

“We have nine days at a training camp before we head down to the athletes’ village on August 2.

“Our first game is on August 6, the day after the opening ceremony, which we will sadly miss, but in the morning we will be ready to rock and roll against Brazil on day one.

“We then face Canada on the morning of day two which is our pool done, and then it’s the quarters and the semi-finals hopefully.”

Nolli has come a long way since those early days of playing mini-rugby at the Barbarians’ ground at Ellicombe.

“My Dad (Jim Waterman) has always been big role model for me and I have two big brothers who I’d regularly play rugby against, and I just loved throwing a rugby ball about,” she said.

“I played mini rugby at Minehead Barbarians and was one of the youngest there at the age of five, from which I have made some life-long friends, people like Justin Harris and Richard Henson, who I caught up with recently when I came home and was involved in a fundraising event with them.

“I love the game, the team spirit, the camaraderie and the fact that it requires all types of skills.

“If what I have achieved inspires somebody else to go out and do whatever their dreams might be, whether it is in sport, art or litertature, then I will be delighted.

“We are a small community in West Somerset and I am proud to be part of it and I love coming home.

“However, it’s important that if people have those aspirations, they get out and see the world and achieve what they want to,. Hopefully people can see that I have done it and cnfollow in my footsteps.”