BULLS women's star Charlotte Booth is the first female rugby league player to be supported by the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS).

Booth played a crucial role in Bradford's double-winning season, earning a place in the England squad that will fly to Australia next month for the World Cup.

The Leeds Trinity student now has the backing of TASS, a Sport England-funded programme that brings together athletes, education institutions and national governing bodies of sport to get the best out of the country's most exciting young talent.

Female players have become eligible in the scheme for the first time, with it now open to those in the England programme who play in the Women's Super League while studying full time.

TASS have been in partnership with the Rugby Football League for three years, helping athletes get the best from their sporting and academic careers without having to choose between the two.

Full back Booth will join more than 50 rugby league players in being provided with support in mental skills, lifestyle, psychology, medical backing and physical conditioning.

RFL national player development manager Tony Fretwel, said: "It is especially exciting to welcome Charlotte to the programme and hope she is the first of a growing cohort of elite female dual careers athletes in rugby league.

"Supporting player and career development in a collaborative method with TASS is a tremendous asset to our sport and we thank TASS on behalf of the clubs, sport and, of course, the players who benefit."

Booth was one of ten Bulls players selected in the 23-strong England squad to compete at the World Cup, having helped her club win both the Challenge Cup and Super League Grand Final after going through the whole season unbeaten.