Alahna Ryan wants to continually develop her rugby skills and she will get a golden chance to do just that in the coming weeks and months.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 19-year-old Ryan has really only committed to rugby this season and it's paid massive dividends as her game has gone from strength to strength.
The next step will be taken this weekend, when the multi-code star lines up for the University of Canberra in the opening round of the AON Uni 7s in Brisbane.
Ryan is one of three Central West-based players who will play in the tournament, which also features a number of Australian sevens stars and Wallaroos players.
"I'm really excited to be picked in the 12 and go to Brisbane, especially with the likes of the players in our team and other sides," Ryan said.
"I want to learn more about the game and improve. I am pretty new to sevens and the more exposure I get to this level of competition and coaching the better."
Ryan made the move from Nyngan to Dubbo at the start of the year and that has helped her reach this new level.
RELATED:
She linked with the Dubbo Kangaroos' Westfund Ferguson Cup side and it's been onward and upward since then.
Ryan has also made great strides in rugby league, having been named the league tag player of the year in Group 11 after her stellar efforts with the premiership winning Dubbo CYMS side.
"I've only really started to enjoy my rugby this year as I've moved to Dubbo and there's a lot more opportunities here for me," she said.
"Moving to Dubbo I've felt like I've developed massively as a player as I've had that support and encouragement around me which has developed my knowledge of the game.
"I've had a really fun season. I learnt so much from the Roos and I'm looking forward to next season, especially getting to know more about the XVs game."
Ryan will be joined in the University of Canberra team at Brisbane by Forbes Platypi and Central West star Lillyann Mason-Spice.
Bathurst standout Jakiya Whitfield is the other Central West-based player at the tournament and she will play for University of Sydney.
I look up to a lot of these players so to see how I match up is a great challenge.
- Alahna Ryan
Mason-Spice had had a real influence on Ryan and her development this year and her it was her decision to go and trial for the University of Canberra team that inspired the Roos' gun to have a crack as well.
Making the side has meant regular trips to the nation's capital to train and play with the Canberra side.
It did get difficult at different periods, dividing her time between league and union but she was hugely appreciative of CYMS and the way they allowed her to miss numerous training sessions so she could go to Canberra.
It's proved worth it though, as this weekend Ryan will share the field with some greats of the game.
Olympic gold medallists Ellia Green, Emma Tonegato, and Sharni Williams are just some of the national sevens players who will feature in Brisbane, with the latter to line up alongside Ryan in the Canberra team.
The competition will also feature Wallaroos captain Grace Hamilton and fellow Australian representative Mahalia Murphy, two more players with ties to the western area.
"I look up to a lot of these players so to see how I match up is a great challenge," Ryan said.
"It's going to be fast as it's the top players in the country. The skill level is going to be high."
Matches will be played on both Saturday and Sunday in Brisbane.
Do you want more sport from the Dubbo region? Sign up to our newsletters here:
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
