Australian schoolgirls rugby gun and NRLW hopeful Savannah Roberts-Hickling’s off-field talent
She’s the cross code footy gun who was a big hit at the Australian schools rugby champs and the Koori knockout. But this young gun also has a super talent off the footy field.
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She was a big hit at the Australian schools rugby championships and the Koori knockout and is about to play in an international Rugby Sevens event across the Tasman but this teen football talent also has a super talent off the field.
Savannah Roberts-Hickling, in New Zealand with the Australian Schoolgirls rugby team this week at the Global Youth event and owner of a development contract with the Gold Coast Titans in the NRLW next year, has been earmarked as a rising star of both football codes.
And while the young gun, related to a number of top-line rugby league players including Brian Kelly from the Titans, said her main ambition is to be a professional NRLW player, this 18-year-old is also pursuing a secondary career as an artist.
So good is Roberts-Hickling her artwork has been commissioned and used by a government agencies, she has played a role in jersey design and has produced an assortment of other artwork.
I just love painting,’’ said the teenager whose younger sister Natalia also plays rugby league.
“I started with drawings and then canvas and I do some woodwork as well. I really enjoy it.
“My goal is to play NRLW and study contemporary Indigenous art at university.’’
The speedster said she also loves rugby with her talent catching the eye of selectors at the Australian schools championships on the Sunshine Coast earlier this year and earning her selection for the Global Youth tournament being played in New Zealand this weekend.
“My first sport is rugby league but I played rugby in school and just loved it,’’ said the Sevens centre.
“Rugby league has just always been a big part of my family. I have relatives who play … Brian Kelly, James Roberts, Amos Roberts.’’
This weekend Roberts-Hickling will be part of history with the first ever touring Australian Schoolgirls Rugby Sevens outfit.
“The team is full of youth which will create depth in the program and make this team unpredictable during competition,’’ said coach Ash Mewburn.
“I’m looking forward to the journey ahead in creating new history and building on the positive team culture which is the blueprint of this program.”
Ipswich High’s Shalom Sauaso and Manua Moleka from The Hills Sports High School in Sydney have been named as captain and vice Captain of the Australian Schoolgirls Sevens team playhing in Auckland.
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