Demi Hayes set to co-captain Australian Rugby Sevens team
After first trying her hand at rugby sevens on the Darling Downs a former Warwick and Toowoomba student is set to co-captain Australia at the Commonwealth Games. Details here.
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Fuelled by the heartbreak of an extra time grand final loss at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Australia will look to go one better in Birmingham, and a Darling Downs star will help lead the charge.
Demi Hayes will co-captain the Australian Women’s Rugby 7s team at the games – a responsibility she does not take lightly.
“Representing Australia is always an awesome and rewarding experience,” Hayes said.
“It’s a massive honour – one that will always be something I treasure.
“Being co-captain alongside Charlotte (Caslick) only adds to the experience.”
A contracted Australian Rugby 7s player for six years now, Hayes is enjoying the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of rugby’s pioneers while also blazing her own trail.
Hayes attended Scots PGC Warwick and Fairholme and played her first games of rugby on the Darling Downs.
“I’ve been a contracted player for six years now and the two years before that I was playing rugby on the Darling Downs,” she said.
“I was very lucky in that I was inspired by players like Charlotte Caslick, Emilee Cherry and Shannon Parry, and I was able to follow in their footsteps.
“Now I’m proud to have the opportunity to show girls from the Darling Downs there is a clear pathway, this is something they can achieve.”
Looking to the games, Hayes believes Australian is primed for a run at gold.
“We know we’re up against some really tough opposition,” she said.
“Some of the best teams in the world – we’re ready though.
“We’ve had a really good World Rugby Sevens Series, been training hard and we’re determined.
“A big part of our focus has been on working for the team – making sure everyone knows their role, what’s expected of them and makes the sacrifices the team needs to succeed.
“I think we’re in with a great shot at gold.”
Hayes has been named in the women’s squad alongside another Downs Rugby talent Dominique Du Toit.
Du Toit was part of the 2018 Games silver medal team alongside Caslick, Hayes and Sharni Williams.
The remainder of the team is making their Games debuts
Grinham to create history
ONE of Toowoomba’s most decorated international athletes will create history next month.
Former world squash No. 1 Rachael Grinham will feature in a record sixth Commonwealth Games when she lines up in Birmingham.
Grinham, who debuted at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games, will partner Donna Lobban in the doubles.
“Any chance to represent your country on an international stage is an absolute privilege and honour in itself, and as Australian squash players, the Commonwealth Games is the pinnacle event for our sport,” Grinham told the Australian Commonwealth Games media team.
“To be able to compete for a sixth time is something I never dreamt would be possible.
“So I’m really excited to be here again.”
Grinham adds a vast amount of experience to the eight player Australian squad having won eight medals, including two gold at five previous appearances.
She will become the first Aussie female player to play in six Commonwealth Games equalling the records of fellow Australian David Palmer and Malaysia’s Nicol David.
Sam Carter relishes new challenge
SAM CARTER is no stranger to Australian green and gold.
The Toowoomba athlete, who has represented Australia at two Paralympic Games and multiple world championships, will make his Commonwealth Games debut next month.
“Wearing Australian green and gold never lessens in gravity,” Carter said.
“It’s always an incredible experience and I value every opportunity to compete and represent Australia.”
Carter, who was born with spina bifida, has always been the ‘sporting type’, trying his hand at swimming and basketball as a child, before eventually focusing on wheelchair racing.
Competing in the T54 category, his Birmingham Games experience will be vastly different to past competitions.
Carter is traditionally a 100 and 400m sprinter but will compete in the 1500m race.
“With able-bodied (athletes) and para-athletes alongside each other on the same schedule the amount of events was reduced,” Carter said.
“I spoke to my coach about competing in the 1500m, we came up with a plan and it came together.
“It (training for the 1500m) has been a really enjoyable experience.
“It’s given me a new appreciation for the sport and competing.”
Brielle Erbacher ready to live out dream
A dream held deep in her heart since childhood will come true in 30 days for Brielle Erbacher.
The 23-year-old steeplechase star will wear Aussie green and gold at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
“It’s almost impossible to put into words,” Erbacher said.
“You have that thought in your head and your heart all the time, but you kind of push it away and just compete because it’s almost too big to think about.
“But now I’ve been officially named in my first Australian senior team and I’m really excited, it’s absolutely amazing.”
Erbacher will race in the stand-alone 3km women’s final in Birmingham but her immediate focus is actually on another major international competition.
She will head to Eugene, Oregon in a fortnight to compete for the World Athletic Championships.
“The world championships are a heat (race) and then the final compared to the Games which is just a straight.
“The best athletes in the world will be competing so making that final is going to be really difficult.
“Whatever happens I’m going to leave it all out there in both races.
“A personal best would be amazing.”
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