THIS weekend’s Australian Women’s Sevens Rugby Championships is an unknown for NSW Country.
This is the first time a Sevens national championship has been held for the women, with 16 teams set to play in Sydney this weekend.
The NSW Country side, coached by Orange’s Steve Hamson, had their first training run together yesterday.
NSW Country manager, Orange’s Amanda Ferguson, said it would be a tough weekend.
“I’d say Sydney, Queensland and the ACT will be strong. They’ve got some good players,” Ferguson explained.
That’s not to say NSW Country will struggle.
They have their own experienced players with Armidale’s Emma Gillogly returning from playing with the Australian Women’s Sevens side, and Orange’s Vanessa Foliaki part of the national squad last year.
The side was selected from the NSW Country Sevens Championships in March, dominated by Newcastle Hunter.
The side will train today before the tournament starts tomorrow.
NSW COUNTRY: Litisha Boney (Dubbo Rhinos), Amie Clarke (Warialda ), Lauren Dennis (Newcastle University), Miranda Falk (Newcastle University), Vanessa Foliaki (Orange Emus), Emma Gillogly (Armidale), Erin Green (Newcastle University), Angela Hipwell (Warialda), Arlyn Mills (Newcastle University), Toyah Nicholas (Newcastle Wanderers), Stevie-Lee Shiels (Newcastle University), Margaret Watson (Newcastle University).