Kate ScotterBe the best that you can be was the message being taught to city youngsters as they were inspired by one of the country's top sporting stars yesterday.Kate Scotter

Be the best that you can be was the message being taught to city youngsters as they were inspired by one of the country's top sporting stars yesterday.

England women's rugby union star Katy Storie paid a visit to the Hewett School in Cecil Road as part of the Youth Sport Trust's Sky Sports Living for Sport programme- an initiative that uses the power of sport to motivate and inspire young people.

A group of youngsters from the school spent the day with the England prop as she led them through rugby drills, inspired them with her own story and showed them her medals.

The 30-year-old, who plays for Team Northumbria, said: 'It's about making what I have achieved in sport tangible for them and getting across that those skills are crucial in achieving their goals, no matter what they are.

'One of the key messages is to be hungry to achieve and to keep going when things get tough. Some youngsters have some really big dreams, such as wanting to be a pilot, but they think it's only a dream.

'They need to start thinking about it now and make difficult choices now. Put in the work and see what happens - you don't know if you don't try. It's a sad thing to look back in years to come and think 'if only'.'

As a teenager herself, Ms Storie was embarrassed by her size and strength until she was put forward to do weightlifting.

She went on to compete as part of the British weightlifting team before she was introduced to rugby. Eleven years later, she has captained the England 'A' team, pulled on her nation's shirt 24 times and this year is determined that England will become world champions at last.

She is one of 17 athletes involved in the Sky Sports Living for Sport programme.

Callum Richards, PE teacher at the Hewett School, said: 'The kids have really enjoyed it and been inspired by her success story.

'It's about getting kids with potential to realise that if they push themselves, they can achieve.'

Kate Lambert, 13, from the Lakenham area, said: 'It's been good. We learnt new things and have been told that if you really want something and really put your heart into it then you can achieve.'

To date, 20,000 young people at more than 600 schools have benefited from the Sky Sports Living for Sport programme since the scheme was launched in 2003.

To find out more about the Sky Sports Living for Sport, go to www.skysports.com/livingforsport

Has a sport star inspired your child to reach their full potential? Call reporter Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk

Women's rugby

England's women's rugby team is currently ranked second in the world.

The Women's Rugby World Cup takes place this year and will be held in London from August 20.

This year will be the first time the Women's Rugby World Cup is played on English soil in the tournament's 19 year history.

The England team lost to New Zealand in the World Cup final in Canada in 2006.

Twelve teams will take part in this summer's Women's Rugby World Cup - New Zealand, England, France, Wales, USA, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, Kazakhstan and Sweden.

England are reigning champions of both the RBS Six Nations and the Nations Cup.

Rugby clubs in Norwich which have a women's squad include Lakenham-Hewett RFC, Wymondham RFC and University of East Anglia RFU.

For more information about women's rugby and how to get involved, go to www.rfu.com/women