A dream has been realised for four Launceston converts to rugby sevens that are set to tackle, sidestep and dash away onto the national stage.
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As the groundbreaking competition was launched in Sydney and the Lions moniker was ushered onto the University of Tasmania outfit on Thursday, nerves kicked in for the girls that less than two years ago knew nothing of the seven-a-side game.
Lauryn Cooper, Brielle Quigley, Alice Robinson and Rioko Learmont are in line to be thrust onto UTAS Stadium among Australian Rio gold medallists for the National University Sevens Series that starts on August 26-27.
“That’s what got me interested; I never watched much rugby before,” Cooper said.
“My dad watched the men play but until the Rio Olympics, I was just blown away that women were doing this.”
It took Cooper just one Launceston club training run when she took home the team shirt to find her calling.
“When I first heard about this, I was definitely interested in it for sure,” she said.
“I’m 18 and I’ve never been selected for anything else.
“I played netball and touch footy, but coming into rugby it’s been so different.”
Coached by ex-Wallaby halfback Luke Burgess, the 24 Lions, including three Olympians, train five times a week with strength, conditioning and nutrition experts.
It’s intense preparation for an historic day at UTAS Stadium expected to be played out in front of thousands.
Cooper is left pinching herself over all the hype: “Not a lot happens in Launceston, but there you go.”
UNIVERSITY OF TASMANIA SQUAD:
- Michaelyne Arumbi
- Hannah Butcher (Devonport)
- Wynona Conway
- Tahni Champion-Peakman (Devonport)
- Lauryn Cooper (Launceston)
- Eugenia Dennison
- Jess Dobbie
- Michaela Emblem
- Kristina Farrelly
- Lucy Featherstone
- Ebony Hicks (Burnie)
- Viivi Hokkinen
- Rebecca Hyland
- Rioko Learmont (Launceston)
- Kira Maass
- Kiki Morgan
- Lauren Murty
- Shanice Parker
- Brielle Quigley (Launceston)
- Alice Robinson (Launceston)
- Caitlin Ryan
- Eloise Struwe
- Sydnee Watanabe
- Olivia White