The prospect of playing two high-profile soccer matches at UTAS Stadium next week brought a smile to Jess Robinson's face.
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"I've never even been into an oval stadium," she said. "But I'm sure it'll be good."
Neither the opportunity nor the stage is likely to faze a widely travelled player who reached the heights of under-15 and under-17 international teams in her native England before arriving in Tasmania just before COVID hit.
The 22-year-old was top scorer in Launceston United's unbeaten Northern Championship-winning team last season and has been pivotal to the side's excellent start in this year's Women's Super League.
Robinson was the only Northern player selected in the senior Tasmanian representative team to play Calder United ahead of next Thursday's A-League fixture, and will get an early taste of UTAS Stadium when United take on reigning champions Olympia as a curtain-raiser to Saturday's opening match.
"It should be a great pitch and is just another game," she said. "We need to make sure we use the opportunity to show what we can do. We're all really looking forward to it."
Yorkshire-born Robinson played for centres of excellence in Hull and Lincoln before taking a year out, attending university and going travelling.
"I just came here to travel. I got a job working as an au pair and joined United to make some friends, then COVID came and I kind of got stuck but I'm still here and I love it. It's been good because I probably would not have come down here had I not been offered a job and got stuck with COVID but it's a great place to be and I'm happy to be here."
Robinson, who has a degree in economics, said she is happy working at an apple orchard and keen to stay at United until the end of the season.
"It's been a good season. We've got a really strong group of girls and it's our first year in Super League so good to get two wins. Saturday was a bit unfortunate (losing 3-2 to South Hobart) but now we've just got to bounce back and get a win this weekend and this is a great opportunity to play in the stadium and show what a team from Launceston can do.
"It's all a step up from last year but I think we're coping well with it. It's a good standard to be playing at. Hopefully we can carry on what we've been doing and see where it takes us this season."
Co-coach Frank Compton said the team are honoured to be part of a national fixture.
"They are excited and will be up for it," he said. "This is a chance to work hard at training and take on another good team."