Hartpury student Zoe Dibble and graduate Chloe Skelton have been selected to play for one of England's elite women's cricket teams.

The duo have been named among the 14-player intake for the inaugural Western Storm Regional Academy programme, following skills sessions with other talented candidates from Wales, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Cornwall and Devon.

Zoe, who is studying A-levels, and Chloe (Level 3 extended diploma sport and exercise sciences) will receive a broad range of support to further their development within the programme, including tactical awareness and strength and conditioning, alongside match-play opportunities across the 2021 season.

They will train at some of the best facilities in the region, with Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, Glamorgan County Cricket Club, Somerset County Cricket Club and the Cornwall Cricket Centre all hosting an Academy hub.

Tom Radcliffe, director of elite sport at Hartpury, said: "We're absolutely thrilled that Zoe and Chloe have been selected for the Western Storm Regional Academy programme - it's an outstanding achievement.

"Their selection is a richly deserved reward for the commitment and dedication they've shown to the sport and we wish them every success in fulfilling their ambitions as part of the programme.

"We're always proud to celebrate the successes of our current and former students, and we hope there will be more great times ahead for them both within the elite women's game."

Western Storm sits within the new eight-region structure model that aims to provide world-class training, coaching and match-play opportunities to develop the most talented female players for sustained international success and drive the performance of women's cricket.