Rugby league ref Bailey Collins part of #DreamBigTime Rugby Sevens tour
He loves being a rugby league ref but Bailey Collins is now dreaming big in a sport he barely knew about just months ago - Rugby Sevens.
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Until recently the closest Bailey Collins had ever been to rugby was watching his mate play in the pouring rain at a suburban oval in Sydney earlier this year.
Now he’s a convert - and on his way to a series of interstate and international Rugby Sevens tournaments.
The Mascot footballer and NRL referee is one of 20 talented newcomers selected in Rugby Australia’s First Nation men’s squad.
And even he is a little surprised.
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“I didn’t know the rules of Rugby Sevens. Not the specifics anyway,” said the 18-year--old who is studying sport and exercise management at UTS.
“I knew the game of union. I didn’t have to google it. But I was able to get bit of help from some mates, along with a few tips.”
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It was enough, combined with his natural ability and athleticism, for Collins to be identified as a rugby sevens player of the future.
Following 28,000km and months touring the country in search of future First Nations talent, Rugby Australia unveiled a women’s and men’s squad to compete in various national competitions as part of the #DreamBigTime project.
The 20-strong squads will assemble for three-day training camp from October 25–27 in Sydney before competing in the Western Sydney 7’s and Hottest 7’s tournaments in Darwin.
It’s really important we do well, to show you can get to different places a different way
The final event for the two squads will be the Dubai International Invitational tournament which coincided with the opening round of the men’s Rugby Sevens World Series and round two of the Women’s World Series in Dubai.
Collins was selected alongside players aged between 17 and 25 and hailing not just from Sydney, but also some of the country’s most remote locations including Thursday Island, Alice Springs and Goondiwindi.
How amazing are our #dreamBigTime talent from Uluru, Northern Territory!
— Raelene Castle (@raelenecastle) April 4, 2019
Next stop Alice Springs! pic.twitter.com/JSORwFEBb8
“I became involved in union because one of my best mates plays for Randwick colts so I’ve gone and watched a few games,’’ Collins said.
“The first game I ever watched was a Randwick versus Sydney Uni on a Friday night in the rain.
“When I heard I was in this squad a was just ecstatic. I was over the moon.
“This is the first year I didn’t play district football because of the (NRL) referring. It was just too much of a commitment with my study.
“It’s going to be an incredible experience. I really do hope it opens some doors for me.
“At the start of the year I would never have even have thought I’d be playing any game of rugby. I’ve never even watched five minutes of a rugby test. It’s always been rugby league for me.’’
Collins said he is enjoying playing alongside athletes from across the country and is motivated, like his teammates, to go as far vas possible in the game.
“This program is so important, it’s monumental for a lot of kids. I heard one of the kids had never been on a plane before,’’ Collins said.
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“It’s really important we do well, to show you can get to different places a different way.
“If some of the kids can go further it will show how amazing and diverse people are and what we can achieve given an opportunity.
“Dream big time, it’s an apt title. An opportunity is what some of these kids need. They can just get it and run with it.’’