Ahead of their State Championship campaign this weekend, the Under 17 Girls Cyclones squad will be leaning into their representative experience as a point of difference.
Inspiring skipper Abigail Viriki and coach Declan Dinnen break down how the squad has overcome some challenges to be ready for the big dance.
Abigail Viriki (AV): Preparation leading up to the tournament hasn’t been easy with girls pulling out, but the bond in our team has gotten stronger over the sessions.
Our focus has mainly been our shape and connecting as a team, I believe connection and bond makes a great team and makes the tournament fun.
AV: Some key strengths of our squad is definitely our forwards. The girls are really strong and physical and also our speed , which runs throughout the team.
Another strength is our bond and connection which is really strong. We will just look to express and show our full potential as a team.
AV: 7s compared to 15s is a quicker and shorter game, so my approach at training has been to offload and pop the ball as much as I can and just shifting to the edges where our speed is and where the space is.Also adding in our own flare to the structure and plays we run.
Declan Dinnen (Coach): We are lucky that although most of the girls have come together from different schools and clubs, we have so many quality girls 7s programs on the Gold Coast. Therefore, all of our girls have a great baseline of fundamental skills and we can just focus on building a game plan based in our team profile.
AV: I know myself and the girls are very excited to play in the comp, win or lose we are ready to play the game we love.
Not many girls in the team have played in this comp so this will be the first but some have played for their country and even their state, so this will be a chance to bring their experience and talent to the table.
Coach: We have had a big focus on enjoyment, trying to take the pressure of the occasion off the girls by reinforcing the fact that we have confidence in them to follow their natural instincts, and most importantly that they will always play their best when they are enjoying themselves.
AV: My final message to the girls would be to have fun.
Trust each other and the work we’ve done. Play for each other, your family, yourself and the Jersey. Give it your all, empty the tank. Play every game like your last.
Be brave, fierce and aggressive and be you.
Don’t shy away from your own skill set just because we are playing at a big comp, showcase it and work together. Have a smile and enjoy the opportunity to represent this team.
