North Wootton’s Georgie sets her sights on 2024 Olympics

As the attention of the rugby community prepares to turn its focus to the Six Nations, one of West Norfolk’s own has their sights set on the Paris Olympic Games.Georgie Lingham, from North Wootton, is switching her focus to the rugby competition taking place during the last week of July at the Stade de France.Team GB player Lingham, 28, continues to take the game by storm since starting her rugby career at West Norfolk Rugby Club.Within three years of first taking to the pitch, she has worked her way up to Premiership teams Saracens and Loughborough Lightnings and representing the UK in the current Team GB squad.The next step on her already impressive CV would be the Paris Games in the summerAs a naturally gifted player on the pitch, she has been earmarked as a potential Olympian within the Team GB side.And in preparation for a potential call-up, she has already starting the intense physical training regime needed to get through the selection process, with her ultimate goal being to represent her country on the biggest stage in a few months time.Lingham said “It’s still not feeling totally real to me – I’m so fortunate to have this opportunity and have to pinch myself.”I want other young people from this area to realise that if I can do it, they can too.“I love where I come from; the village and this area are my roots, and all I want to do is play and help inspire others to get out there and give rugby a go – it’s changed my life.”Even though she’s on track to gain selection, Lingham’s still a regular face at her home club, West Norfolk, taking on both coaching and playing roles, bringing valuable skills from the expert coaching at Team GB training camps back into the community.Lingham said: “Helping my teammates and the younger girls players learn some of the new techniques or drills that I get put through is such a buzz – and being able to share my knowledge is really rewarding.”With six more fixtures to play in the 2023-2024 season, Lingham will bring her trademark speed and strength to the pitch for West Warriors as she prepares for her chance to make it to the Olympics, proving that great things can be achieved from humble beginnings.You can follow her story at the Lynn News or on West Norfolk Rugby Club’s website and social media.