SIOBHAN Grayson is the new captain of Cheshire Girls golf team and she is on a mission to boost junior players' part in the sport.

The Lymm High School sixth-form student has been involved with the county set-up since 2012 and makes history for her club as their first player to be handed a role she will hold for the next 12 months.

“I’m honoured to have been selected as Cheshire Girls captain this year," said Siobhan, has just successfully completed her GCSEs at Lymm High after beginning her education at Ravenbank Primary School.

"In a year when opportunities to play have been reduced, I am really keen to encourage as many girls as possible playing in the county and wider events.

“The overriding ethos of the county is how welcoming they make everyone feel and I want to ensure that I continue to show that warmth to all. This is the tone set by all the volunteers that run the section, and I thank them all."

So how does Siobhan want want to set about encouraging more girls into golf?

“There are lots of opportunities to play junior opens all round the country. I want to encourage girls to explore these and have a go," said Siobhan, who is now studying A levels in maths, physics, chemistry and drama as she balances her education with sport while pursuing an interest in following her dad into engineering.

"Last year I played in the St Andrews Junior Open, and there would have been more of us this year but for the cancellation due to Covid," she said.

“I also want to encourage all of the girls to challenge their clubs to recognise junior golfers as real players, and allow them to enter the ladies competitions.

“I won the mixed knockout at my club Ringway this year, and two of the other majors were also won by junior girls.

“However, some clubs still won’t allow juniors to enter the competitions. I also won the Margaret Sangster Salver this year – a Cheshire ladies event.

"So one of my jobs I see is to try to encourage girls to go for it, and help bring about this positive change – enter, see what happens!”

Siobhan has already created plenty of memories in county golf.

“I have been involved with Cheshire for eight years," she said.

"Playing in the county is a great experience and gives great opportunities to play in all sorts of events and locations and these vary from short course beginner events for new starters, through to playing at world class venues.

“I have also been away with the county for the Jamboree for three years. This was a great experience being part of the team and building friendships that we still have.

“Finally, I ended up playing in the full competitions and have played on fantastic courses such as Royal Liverpool for the county events, which wouldn’t have happened without the county!

“Cheshire also provides brilliant subsidised coaching again at various levels so that those that want to progress are supported. This can make a great difference to anyone."