April Smith is in that space in life where high school is still a relatively close object in the rear-view mirror and the road ahead is uncertain but exciting.
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Next year the 18-year-old hopes to relocate to Sydney for university, where she will study either teaching or occupation therapy.
In the meantime, she has been scratching an itch: playing rugby league.
After lining up for the Blues Boars in sevens the past two seasons, she decided to give league a go this year.
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On Saturday at Ken Chillingworth Oval, she will again run out for Boggabri, in what is the third and final round of Group 4's second instalment of women's nines.
The Kangaroos will play Werris Creek, who, if they don't know already, will be advised to limit the space Smith is given.
Clocked at 12.73 seconds for the 100 metres, she is quite possibly the fastest player in the competition.
While attending Narrabri High School, she competed at CHS and All Schools state championships.
Against the Magpies, she will look to add to the three tries she has scored so far in the competition.
"Definitely," she said, when asked if her speed was a big plus in rugby league, where she has primarily played centre.
Smith said migrating for union to league had not been too difficult an adjustment, although getting used to retreating 10m in defence has been a challenge.
Overall, however, she said: "It wasn't that much of a change, really."
She had this to say about her decision to sign with Boggy: "The opportunity came up and I really wanted to try out rugby league, so I did."
In the year since leaving high school, Smith has been working as a student aide/teacher aide at Wee Waa High School.
"It was a bit upsetting - not hanging out with your mates every day," she said of leaving high school.
"But I still see them, which is good."
She added: "I really enjoy working, love working."
Smith is "really excited" about Saturday's clash.
Boggabri coach Jason Kemp said Smith was "everything you want in a player".
"[She is] keen to listen and learn at training," he said.
"As for playing, she's not the biggest girl but definitely makes up for that with her ability."
Boggabri have one win and one loss in the competition.
Kemp believes that a win over Werris Creek will result in the Roos finishing second or third.
"I'd just like to get the win this weekend," he said.
