THE district of Tynedale is thriving with women and girls playing sport on a regular basis.

And the high numbers are largely down to inspirational sportswomen passing on their knowledge and enthusiasm through coaching roles.

Throughout the UK, 30 per cent of coaches are female. But a nationwide project is encouraging more females to get into coaching by asking people to 'Pass on Your Passion'.

Starting today (June 26), it's Northumberland's turn for its brilliant sports coaches to pass on a baton in a countywide relay. It's Northumberland Sport's way of thanking the women for their hard work, and also to encourage more females into coaching.

Former Tynedale Panthers player and coach, Jane Eccles, now a community rugby coach for women and girls in Northumberland and the North-East, will kick start Northumberland's leg when receiving the giant inflatable baton from Tyne and Wear Sport at the Girls Beach Rugby Festival at Longsands Beach, in Tynemouth, this afternoon.

The baton will then travel around Northumberland visiting some of the nominated female coaches to see them pass on their baton to someone they have inspired.

It will leave Northumberland on Sunday when Kim Scott from These Girls Can Run will travel to Sycamore Gap on Hadrian's Wall to pass the baton onto Cumbria Sport.