Why Australian schoolgirl rugby a launch pad for Brisbane Olympic prospects, future Wallaroos
Some are already making a mark. Others are waiting to be discovered. The hunt is on for Brisbane Olympic prospects - and budding Wallaroos - at the Australian girls rugby tournament
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Some have already been identified as a future Sevens Olympian but there’s a big chance an unknown or two will also emerge from the pack at the Australian schools rugby championships on the Sunshine Coast this week.
Australian Rugby’s head of women’s performance pathway Lachlan Parkinson is on the Sunshine Coast checking out current talent and looking for new emerging talent to bolster our Sevens stocks at the Australian schoolgirl event starting Friday.
“100 per cent this gives a kid from NSW or Queensland or the Lloydies that we haven’t see a chance to impress,’’ Parkinson of the rising stars of Sevens rugby.
“There’s a lot of talent out there.’’
“These are the players who will be in the mix for the Brisbane Olympics,”
“It’s a talented age group, especially in the under 16s. It’s very strong with a lot of talent across the board.
“That happens every couple of years.’’
Parkinson is also closely watching the juniors national XV’s competition played prior to the schools matches with the Wallaroos XV squad in mind.
The XV event in Queensland which started Wednesday and the Australian school girls tournament are being used for the talent ID of an Australian U18s team and also an Australian schools girls squad.
“With the Australian U18 team, there are three camps to invite them in to.
“If a kid comes up here we can invite them into the camps to give them a chance at selection.”
The Australian and national schools teams will play at the Global Youth Sevens event in New Zealand later this eyra.
“It’s very important to identify the next generation,’’ Parkinson said.
“Having the 15-a-side (national junior championships) for the first time gives players an access point.
“It will be great to identify them for the Wallaroos in the future. We are trying to built up the stocks for the Wallaroos and to create a new pathway.’’
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Originally published as Why Australian schoolgirl rugby a launch pad for Brisbane Olympic prospects, future Wallaroos
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