SEAGULLS’ water polo player Megan Fletcher has survived the first round of selection for the England ladies’ talent squad for girls born in 1996-97.

She is the first girl from the Christchurch club to achieve this stage in national selection and follows in the footsteps of male club-mates Sam Webber, Cianan Mann, Jackson Mullins and Charlie Roberts.

The process involved a series of tough tests at Cardiff.

Coach Rob Webber said: “Megan took the tests in her stride and, like the boys, will now compete for her place at future training camps.”

Among South West clubs, only Cheltenham now have more players in England talent squads than Seagulls.

That represents a remarkable rate of progress for the Dorset club, which started playng water polo only six years ago.

“We have had an exceptionally talented group of players born between 1994 and 1996 and we've helped them to make the most of their talent,” Webber added. We also have some great 1997-99 players and we hope we can get them into the GB set-up some day.”