AUSSIE sevens star and Rio gold medalist Nicole Beck dropped into Tamworth on Friday night to drop some inspiration on to the next generation as the inaugural Tamworth Club Sevens competition concluded with two thrilling finals.
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The team from Ben Ryan Plumbing took out the men’s open title with a two point extra time victory over Pickles, while Forsyth’s capped off an undefeated season with a 48-nil win in the opens womens.
Following the Aussie girls history making run at the Olympics Beck is riding the momentum and loving the buzz around the game she loves.
“I think years and years down the track it might fully sink in that we won the gold,” Beck said.
“I’m still beaming – We broke the stigma around rugby because some girls didn’t realise that they could even play.”
“I didn’t quite realise how big of an impact it had but it is great to see competitions like this springing up everywhere.”
The flying winger made the leap to rugby from touch football where she also wore the green and gold with distinction, but says the most exciting thing happening now is that the game is now at a point where it is capable of producing the next generation of Olympians from grassroots to gold.
“Six or seven of us in the Wallabies crossed over from touch and while Australia has a huge depth of talent the younger girls are coming through with only rugby as a background now.”
“We are only just scratching the surface of our depth at the moment.”
While Beck has given up her place in the side for a seat in the office as she takes on her next challenge with baby number two due in April, the fleet footed 28 year old is still looking for more gold in the future.
“My short term goal is to hopefully get back and vie for a spot in the Commonwealth Games side for the Gold Coast.”
“A tournament like that at home would be amazing.”
“Then I want to push for a spot for Tokyo 2020 if my body holds up.”
In the meantime the star has taken a job in the ARU office and is excited that the organisation is looking to get a national competition off the ground in the near future.
“A national competition will make much clearer pathways from rep football to national teams – And it would be great to play in and expose the game even more.”
“After our success in Rio we have tried to get out and support the game as much as we could. It’s been great to be able to put back into the community.”
Before the finals the gold medalist spoke about the balance between family life and chasing Olympic Gold.
