Rugby star Ellia Green tells us a few of her favourite things
Lane Cove local Ellia Green doesn’t waste a minute between training for the Olympics and doing great work with kids. Kelly Baker finds out what makes her tick.
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Australian Rugby Sevens star Ellia Green is hard to pin down.
It’s not that she’s difficult – more that the 27-year-old Olympian is busy – I mean, ridiculously so. Flip open her diary and you’ll quickly discover that not just every day, but pretty much every minute is scheduled. And for weeks, months even.
Despite that she’s carved out some time to talk to us about what her life looks like right now. And that says a lot about the kind of woman she is.
You see, Suva-born and central coast raised Ellia is famed for being ‘a machine’ on the rugby field. But once ‘off duty’, the 171cm, 73kg athlete is the complete opposite.
Her rugby opponents may not agree, but her friends and family (and even random strangers who regularly approach her for autographs or even just to say hello) will tell you – Ellia has a sincere and giving nature.
“I always speak from the heart,” she says, from her Lane Cove home.
“And if I can inspire or motivate anyone else then I want to do so.”
Ellia, who is also studying International Relations with the hope of one day working for the United Nations, is currently deep in training for the Tokyo Olympics, which will take place from July 23, 2021.
And just to be clear – we’re not talking a daily run and weights session here, but hours upon hours of the kind of physical effort that regularly leaves her in tears. When these sessions are over all the team members want to do is collapse.
And yet – here Ellia is – chatting with us. Like we said – she’s a generous soul. We have to ask of course. Is the training so tough it will make you weep?
“Oh it is not for the faint-hearted,” says Ellia with a laugh.
“It’s a hard slog. We’re challenged mentally and physically and sure – there’s plenty of tears when we’re running. We call it ‘crunning’.”
Obviously breaking down is not exactly infrequent if Ellia and her teammates have an actual word for the experience. But she’s not about to let the intensity faze her.
“I’m not here to muck around,” she says, from her home in Lane Cove.
“I’m here to achieve my goal which is to win another gold medal for my country.”
When she’s not training solidly, she’s eating and sleeping, but if there’s ever a spare moment she spends it visiting with school kids and helping them see the future is theirs for the taking.
“I work with a few different companies, Optus in particular, (she is an official ambassador for the company and fronts its program Olympics Unleashed), and share my story and encourage kids to try and reach their full potential,” says Ellia.
“I tell them opportunities are there so when they come you need to reach out and grab them. And I remind them that sometimes those opportunities come when you least expect them.”
Describe your front door … A large heavy white door. It slams obnoxiously if I don’t hold it. I sound like a baby elephant coming into and out of the house.
Tell us about your favourite room in the house …
I enjoy the bathroom because it’s the only room in my house that has a lock, so I can escape from the world. I like to create my own sauna in there while I am running a shower.
How this home came to be …
I do have a love for the environment and being around trees and plants. I chose this location because every window I look out I can see trees. Also, it has a warm, cosy feeling whenever I walk in.
Your earliest childhood memory and why it means so much.
Running around the neighbourhood barefoot with my brother, jumping off jetties and running amok.
The most embarrassing moment of your life?
There’s been quite a few. I was feeling unwell when we had our official media day for our Sevens team. It was our team photo time When the cameraman counted down ‘ … 3, 2, 1, smile’, I projectile vomited.
All the media was there and some of them got it on camera. Everyone had to wait for me while I got changed.
Nobody knows that I can …
Bark like a dog. And speak a little Mandarin.
You are having a dinner party and can invite five guests from any time in history. You invite …
Serena Williams to talk about her success.
Oprah Winfrey to hear her story.
James Bond so we can talk cars and women.
Beyonce … because Beyonce.
Lionel Richie because he seems like a sweet person.
If there was one thing you could change about the world it would be …
Racism.
Please describe the absolute loves of your life and also why they’ve got your heart.
My partner Vanessa because she inspires me every day to be a better person. My Mum because she has taught me so much growing up, and even still today … though she isn’t here anyway – she is, and always will be, the queen of my heart.
You always cry when …
There’s no meat in the fridge.
You’re shopping and the change rooms have only one mirror and it’s on the shop floor. This makes you feel …
Too shamed. I’m staying in the change room.
There’s nothing you love more than …
Cleaning my car, and FOOD. I love food.
You have the choice of a laid-back country weekend or a glamorous city adventure. You choose …
No competition – a laid-back country weekend every time.
Your most favourite dish is … followed by a dessert of …
Crispy duck pancakes followed by mango and coconut sticky rice pudding.
You see someone parked across two spots. You respond by …
Parking behind them!
Advice for your 14-year-old self.
Be brave because it can be a cruel and tough world out there.
Tips on how to curate a beautiful wardrobe?
Keep it simple, but don’t be afraid to express yourself.
Your number one career tip?
Your body is capable of doing more than you think.
You feel most confident when?
My mind and my body are in sync.
Your favourite drink and how you’ve personalised it.
I cannot go past a Green Machine smoothie – banana, avocado, honey, soy milk and ice.
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