Wauchope Thunder's Breanna Green has joined her fellow Rugby Australia First Nations women's sevens at squad training in Sydney.
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The 17-year-old Wauchope resident is one of just 20 players to make the cut from the nearly 150 players who were first identified as potential squad members.
Two squads will represent the First Nations Sevens sides in five domestic and two international tournaments - one in Dubai.
The long-term goal will be selecting at least two players to join the Australian Sevens squads for the 2024 Olympics.
Green says she is aware of the opportunity and responsibility of gaining selection in the inaugural First Nations squad.
"When the coach (Jarred Hodges) rang to tell me I had made the squad I cried," Green admitted.
"It is a really big deal for me personally. This is showing my mob and everyone else that I can do something positive. It is a really good feeling.
"I also understand and accept the responsibility that comes with this role and I definitely feel as though I am a leader.
"On the field I am a really strong communicator," she said.
The First Nations development squad includes players aged from 17 to 25 years.
Competitions will be held in Dubai - with a final squad of 12 selected for the December 1 to 8 tour - Darwin and at the Western Sydney Sevens.
I also understand and accept the responsibility that comes with this role and I definitely feel as though I am a leader.
- Breanna Green
Green is a member of the grand final winning Wauchope Thunder women's 15-a-side but couldn't play on the day because of squad duties.
Along with her communication skills, Green said her other strengths include speed and her ability to read the play.
"It is a very fast sport and you have to be very fit," she said.
"The coach has given each squad member a fitness program covering cardio, gym work and recovery which we have to complete and then log the results.
"The training is very intense. However, while it is hard, the more you do the easier it gets," she said.
"But it does make my muscles ache on some days; it is pretty hard on your body."
Green says she supports women playing all sports, but particularly the formerly male-dominated codes.
"I think it's excellent that more women are playing these kinds of sports," she added.
She nominated Ellia Green - Australian women's rugby sevens team member - as the player she admired the most.
Green also pointed to her uncle Brett Watts, a member of the grand final winning Frillnecks St George Rugby Union Club, as an inspiration.
Green's ambition is to eventually pull on the green and gold colours of Australia which would be a "dream come true".
"This is a real pathway for me," she said.
