Talesha Quinn living her dream with Jillaroos at World Cup
A YEAR ago Talesha Quinn rang her mum to tell her she was quitting her job, moving to Sydney and facing an uncertain future without any sort of income because rugby league was her greatest passion.
Women's sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Women's sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Aussie crew can win America’s Cup says gun
- Model surfer survives big wave scare
- Women riding winds of change
A YEAR ago Talesha Quinn rang her mum to tell her she was throwing in her job, packing up and moving to Sydney to face an uncertain future without any sort of income because she wanted to play football “with all my heart’’.
A little over 12 months on and Quinn is still in her job with the Australian Army, a member of the Jillaroos, preparing to make her World Cup debut and in her own words “living the dream’’.
NRL GUN: Kezie Apps was better player
“I’m a leaguie, it’s my passion, and to play the game I love so much, I had to give it a shot,’’ said Quinn, ahead of the Jillaroos opening match of the World Cup against the Cook Islands on Thursday.
WORLD CUP GUIDE: Fixtures, teams players, important dates
WORLD TITLE: The five surfers who can win the women’s crown
“I watched NSW beat Queensland last year and I rang mum and said ‘that’s it, I’m quitting my job, I don’t know where I am going to live, I don’t know what I am going to do or how I am going to support myself but I’m coming home to NSW to play league’.’’
But with the backing and support of the Australian Army who put her in an elite sport program, Private Quinn, 28, was relocated from Townsville to Sydney, signed with the Cronulla Sharks, made the NSW team which defended its interstate crown against Queensland and was then named in the Jillaroos team for the World Cup.
“Just over a year ago I wasn't even playing. I can’t thank the army enough for supporting me. What a crazy, crazy ride,’’ said Quinn who also played in the Defence Force World Cup this year.
JILLAROOS CHANCES: Can they win World Cup?
AUSSIE CHARGE: Who is in, who is out
“I think what I have done can show people that sometimes you just have to put yourself out there and just do it. You can make your dreams come true.’’
The Jillaroos kick off their World Cup campaign against Cook Islands on Thursday at Southern Cross Group Stadium in Cronulla.
The Australians will also meet Canada and England before finals commence later this month.
Pool stage games and semi-finals will be played from November 16-26 at Cronulla with the final a double-header with the men’s final at Brisbane Stadium on December 2.
BLUES PASSION: Why Talesha Quinn wants to win so badly
SHE’S BACK: Kezie Apps’ courageous battle
THURSDAY’S WORLD CUP POOL MATCHES
New Zealand vs. Canada, Southern Cross Group Stadium, Cronulla
England vs. PNG, Southern Cross Group Stadium, Cronulla
Australia vs. Cook Islands, Southern Cross Group Stadium, Cronulla
TV
All 12 matches of the tournament will be broadcast on free-to-air television through Seven Network (AU), SKY Sport (New Zealand) and EMTV (Papua New Guinea) in their respective countries.