A Conversation with Queensland Winger: Courtney Hodder

This week, the Reds Women team have their very first 2020 home game, against the Rebels at Suncorp Stadium!  Coming off an 80-5(!) win against WA, the team is in fine form.

It’ll be a “Double-Header”, with the Mens team playing the Sharks afterwards! I’m a bit excited.

In anticipation, I caught up with Courtney Hodder, who has recently come back from a major injury.

She’s a very exciting player to watch and a fun person to talk to. Enjoy reading my interview… & I’ll see you at Suncorp on Saturday!

Hey Courtney, congrats on a very impressive win last week!

Thank you!

How special is it that you’ll be playing at Suncorp this weekend?

Yeah it’s pretty exciting. With me moving here - this is home now - I’ve got my family here, or my in-laws… they’ll be down there to support me… It’ll be good to get around the girls and also play a double-header with the boys which will be pretty exciting. First home game, so I’m keen!

What’s the teams focus going to be, going into the game against the Rebels?

I guess stick to the game plan, stay composed when the defense is shooting up… do what we’re good at, use our width and use our forwards to get those hard lines and hopefully we can come out on top!

Can you tell me about your rugby journey… How did you end up playing rugby?

It sort of started at school. My boyfriend is a kiwi… I came from an AFL background, his family introduced me to rugby and I enjoyed it ever since. I started off playing Sevens, then moved into Fifteens, then unfortunately broke my leg. This is my first year back and I’m keen to give it my all and excited to be back.

How did you end up in Queensland?

So I was living with my partner in the year prior to moving and his sister got a scholarship here. For me it was a pretty easy move. They made the move and I thought rugby’s a lot more developed here, it’s only going to better me and my skills.

Who’s your biggest rugby hero?

Um, I don’t really watch much rugby. Someone I really admired was Portia Woodman in Sevens, when she was playing. It’ll be exciting to see her come back and play again, but I don’t watch much rugby. I just like playing (laughs).

What are your goals, either in rugby, or outside of rugby?

I guess for me, being an indigenous person I want to show people that you know, anythings possible. And with the game of rugby, just give the game my all and hopefully be given an opportunity to wear the green and gold.

What’s your favourite thing to do, when you’re not playing rugby?

I love just watching TV, spending quality time with my family and swimming… I’m a big water person! Love the beaches, love the pool - that’s the stuff I enjoy.

All the best at Suncorp on Saturday! I’ll be there to cheer you all on!

Thank you so much. It’ll be good to see you and hopefully we’ll get a photo after the game!

The Reds Women take on the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday 29th at 3:40pm 

The Mens side are playing against the Sharks at 6:15pm.

A Super Conversation with Queenland's Saxon Campbell

Super W has lift-off !!!

The Reds women had an official bye during week one of Super W last week and instead had a hit-out against a strong Fijiana team. I was glad to be there to support, even though they didn't come out on top, this time.

This coming weekend, they are in Perth playing the Western Force! One player who is looking forward to the game is Saxon Campbell, an experienced lock, who has represented Queensland for a number of years. It was great hearing about her determination and focus on bringing the trophy home in 2020. I'm sure you'll enjoy reading out conversation.

A huge thanks Saxon for taking time out from a busy training week to chat!

Tough outcome last weekend, but it was just a warm-up. What did you learn from Sunday’s game, both personally and as a team?

Personally, for myself, I probably could have given more. Only because with my team-mates, everyone tries to do their job and plays to their strengths as well. So felt that I could have given more personally to the team and the girls.

For the team, coming together, having a long pre-season, we worked through what our structures were, what we should have brought, but we didn’t execute very well. That’s definitely a learning curve for us moving forward.

I’m really excited about your first official game this weekend. What’s going to be the team’s focus on Saturday?

Last week, we had a few key players out, so having them back this week will be good. There’ll be more talking… There’s a person that’s a talker, there’s a person that’s a doer. Like Shannon, she does her role, you follow her.. Lori’s a good talker, Courts is a good talker… When you have those people in your ear, that’s what’s going to change this week. It’ll be a good change.

You made your debut for Queensland back in 2012. How have things changed since then? And also, what was your highlight of the 2019 Super W season?

Geez, you’re going way back! I think, just the growth of womens sport… Back in 2012, we had to pay to play. We definitely didn’t get access to the gym, we didn’t get a kit back then… I think there were a few times where we could fundraise to play and obviously to travel. Now, what’s changed is that we don’t have to pay, we get looked after by our management, at least… which makes it more stress-free. All we have to do is rock up, train and play.

And my highlight of last season… I guess just being able to be a part of the campaign and being a part of how women’s sport has developed. And just being amongst the talented women that I get to play alongside and wearing the jersey is something that I’m proud of. Especially for my nieces! My nieces, 5 and 10, are getting into rugby now and they watch my sister and I. I hope that them watching me will inspire them as well!

What inspired you to play rugby?

So I come from a netball background. My sister Cheyenne Cambell, she actually played with Mosy [Moana Virtue, Reds head coach], they were playing with Easts at the time and pretty much dominating the comp back then. 2011 was my first time playing open rugby. My sister got me into it and I haven’t looked back since. She’s inspired me and is basically my everything, she’s my go-to when I need some advice. I make sure that she watches my game and she’s my hardest critic as well. I always learn from her.

What are your goals looking forward?

I just want to take it game by game, do my role and make sure I’m contributing to the team and doing my one percenters throughout the games. Each game is obviously different and you have to look at them differently. But if I stick to my role, my ultimate goal is to bring the trophy back. That’s what I want to work towards.. Basically, don’t give up.

What’s your favourite thing to do, outside of rugby?

Um, I just like to chill really! I like to be with my family. If I can get away and just relax, especially after a training week, it’s nice to just wind down and chill with the family, hang out with friends, maybe get a beer (laughs).

Thanks Saxon for taking time to chat. All the best over in Perth, this Saturday!!!!

Thank you so much for having me! I hope I was as entertaining as the superstars you get here (laughs).

Are you a Believer? A Conversation with Queensland and Wallaroo Flanker: Kiri Lingman

What are your beliefs? I'm a believer that 2020 is gonna be a great year for Queensland rugby!

Week 1 of Super W is finally here!!! Queensland has a bye on the competition schedule, but instead has an extra game against Fijiana! There was a real buzz of excitement in the air when I went to visit Ballymore this week.

Few people are more excited to finally start the season than Kiri Lingman! The daughter of a former-Wallaroo has risen up the ranks to become one of Queensland's (and the nation's) senior players and leaders. After patiently persevering through injury setbacks, she is looking forward to the season that awaits…

It’s week 1! Queensland officially has a bye, but you do have a “pre-season” type game again Fiji. How has training gone and are you looking forward to your first game?

Yeah! So personally, this has been the biggest and hardest pre-season I’ve ever been a part of. Super W is such a short format, you feel like you’re training for so long - to get to this point, it’s almost your reward. To be able to do that in a trial match before we hit the Super W round is perfect, to be honest.

What are you looking forward to most about this season?

To me, even though it’s a new season and a new group of girls, it almost feels like things are progressing as one. From the first year, to the second, to the third, there’s been an obvious progression, not just in terms of skill-sets, but as a brand in general.

Personally, coming back from injury, being able to play is the biggest thing, obviously. But overall, just seeing where we take it as a team and as a franchise. The first year of being called the Queensland Reds [not just the ‘Queensland Women’s XV’] is really exciting, we don’t take that lightly - that’s a huge honour. I guess playing under that banner and seeing what we can do as a team is what I’m looking forward to the most!

What was your highlight, playing rugby in 2019?

I think last year, Super W was probably the first highlight. I think the second was the announcement of Japan against the Wallaroos. Overall, it was rewarding for Women’s Rugby in Australia. We haven’t had the opportunity to play middle-tier countries in such a long time. It was the perfect opportunity to show what we could do and take two wins away. It was a highlight watching them! [Kiri’s shoulder wasn't 100%, so unfortunately she was unable to play in those games.]

What lessons have you learnt while recovering from your major injury in 2017?

That was a really big one. It wasn’t my first major injury, but it was the first time it had such a big impact on my life. I think I learnt the importance of being really diligent with all aspects of your body, particularly with training and recovery. Back then I was about 22, so I bounced back a lot easier after trainings. And I really took for granted the recovery and the little side of things, like the extras in the gym and being diligent about the things that you don’t take a lot of notice of. It also was a huge mental learning curve about having a setback and regrouping and refocusing and working to get back to a point. It wasn’t the greatest thing that's happened to me, but I’m always a huge believer that everything happens for a reason and I definitely found that out. It put me on a different path and that’s where I am today.

Who was your biggest rugby hero growing up?

One that really stands out and I’m sure you know is Liam Gill. Going through school, I played netball, so I didn’t pay much attention to rugby. My parents were huge rugby fans, so I remember watching it with them on the couch on Friday nights… but when I left school, that’s when l I actually started paying attention to what they were doing.

When I first started playing rugby, I watched it even more. I didn’t have an idea of what position I wanted to play, or what to do in that position. I remember watching the Reds during that time and seeing Liam Gill play and I remember the commentators always using the word “work-horse” with him. He stood out because of his work ethic and how good he was in so many areas of the game. I enjoyed watching him and thought he was an outstanding player, especially being a “jack of all trades”. 

He probably, in a weird way, put me on my path as a flanker! As far as idols go, in a rugby sense, I think he’s my main one.

Your Mum was a Wallaroos coach in the early 90s. What are a few things you’ve learnt from her about the game?

Quite a lot! The thing with Mum is she has a really old-school approach, so to her brute force is the main approach. When I first started, I wasn’t the most aggressive person on the field. Even now, I’d say aggression isn’t my forte, but Mum is “old school, hit ‘em hard, tackle hard, run hard”… so  I always get a nice little pump up message from her about being aggressive out on the field.

Even as the game evolves and coaches have a different spin on things, Mum has a really simple, old-school approach and sometimes it’s nice to think of the game that way. Just getting back to catch-pass, running the ball, tackling - she really hones in on those three skills and doing them well. That’s probably the biggest thing she’s taught me, always be good with the basics.

You only started playing rugby in 2014, down at Sunnybank. What inspired you to play at that time?

Um, I think at that time, it hadn’t been confirmed but there was a lot of talk about Sevens becoming an Olympic sport. For some reason, something in the back of my head, I don't know if it was fate or destiny or whatever, but something in the back of my head was telling me I needed to play rugby or give it a try, my parents had been a bit of an influence on that too... I was scared to, because of what the sport entails, but one day I just said "no, I'm gonna do it", I went down to closest club, which was Sunnybank and I gave it a go. So that's pretty much it.

Thanks for taking time to chat Kiri! All the best against WA next weekend. I’ll be watching!

Thank you!

Catching up with Queenslander and Wallaroo Averyl Mitchell

In case you’re under a rock in rugby-land, you’ll know the Super W competition is set to take off next weekend!

The Reds women will start with a buy, before flying to Perth(!) to play the Western Force. Lock it in your calendars - Saturday February 22nd at 6pm our time (AEST).

To celebrate the start of Super W 2020, I caught up with Averyl Mitchell, hooker for the Queensland Reds and the Wallaroos!

On a wet day at Ballymore, Averyl took time out from her hectic work and training day to come indoors and have a chat. Hope you enjoy reading my interview!

Hey Averyl, thanks for making time to catch up today! I know you have a busy life down here at Ballymore!

The Super W season is almost here! How excited are you and the team?

I’m really excited. I’ve actually come back, in the last couple of weeks, from a stress fracture on my foot. So I’ve been captain of the Watt bike for 2 months straight. I’m just so excited to even be at training, just to rip in and get some contact. We’re super excited, after last year, we’re keen to prepare and have a great season.

Are you looking forward to your trip to Perth for the first game on the 22nd February?

Yes and no! The trip to Perth is a bit of a long one. That’s one where you’ve got your kit on, but you always make sure you’ve got your skins and your depression socks on

Yes and no - I get bored on the plane, but I’m really excited to play WA. They’re a really tough physical opponent. They’re a little bit mysterious over there, we don’t see too much of them, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what the team's like this year.

What was the highlight of last years Super W season?

I think the grand final. Not losing it obviously, but getting to it. It was the first time Lori (Cramer) played footy together in quite a while. We met playing rugby at UQ and she’s one of my best mates, that was pretty unreal - and it’s been a dream of mine to play for Queensland. Getting on the bus on the way to the game and my hands were shaking, I was so nervous. Just because it was a culmination of all these years, of grinding away at it, all these injuries and not knowing you’d ever make it. It was so special to wear the jersey! That was the highlight for me I reckon.

What was your favourite thing about playing for Wallaroos last year!

Averyl makes ground for the Wallaroos, against Japan last year in Newcastle

Nothing too new for you, almost the same answer. Playing for your country, is probably the highest individual honour that you can receive in your life. To do that was just a dream come true. It’s a bit of an emotional thing - but getting to do that was an incredible experience and with one of my best mates was pretty unreal. It was a bit of a busy year for me!

What advice would you give to rugby players, both boys and girls, wanting to take rugby seriously?

As weird as it sounds, you’ve got to have the “fun” thing first. At it’s foundation… You’ve got to love your rugby, you’ve got to enjoy it. But the next thing is, if you use me as an example... I’m not really talented at all, I’m not very agile, I have low physical intelligence, I can’t really dance, I wasn’t really an incredible athlete through school, (I played soccer, rugby wasn’t really an option), I suppose... just keep chipping away at it. [Work hard.]

I just read an article about Dane Zander who’s playing for the Reds now, he didn’t even make Nudgee’s First XV. I dunno. I’ve never been the most talented, but I just keep chipping away at it. So if you love it, just keep doing a little bit at a time.

That would probably be my advice. Have patience and enjoy your footy.

What’s your favourite thing to do outside of rugby and outside of graphic design work?

Tricky! You took away the easy answer there! I suppose I like to hang out with my friends and family my dog… but in my spare time, I really like to draw. I’m quite arty. I like coffee shops, that’s another of my favourite things.

Thank you again for your time today! All the best as you prepare for your first game in Perth on February 22nd! 

Not at all. Thank you for interviewing me, after I point blank insisted that you do so. So I’m happy to make time for that. This is a really cool thing! You will remain my favourite Hamilton, until this Super W season is over, at which case - you will still be my favourite Hamilton. Thanks for the chat!

Catching up with Carter Gordan

Super Rugby has kicked off for 2020! The Reds lost by only 3 points to the Brumbies last week, but gave us a solid sign of things to come this season. This Saturday, they play the Lions, in their home territory of Johannesburg, South Africa! I'll be tuning in for sure.

With much of the team away, I caught up with a few of the lads still training (some doing rehab) at Ballymore and had a good sit-down with Carter Gordan!

Carter spent 2019 as a part of the development Reds squad and after a strong showing playing for the West Bulldogs was was named in this years team! Full of potential on the field and a wonderful person off the field, Carter looks like he’ll be ready soon to live out his childhood dream and run out with the Maroon jersey!

Hey Carter, thanks for making time to catch up today!

That’s alright. Anytime!

How have you found training at Ballymore so far this year?

Trainings been interesting. A lot more knowledge stuff this year, around our game plan, around what we want to do. But it’s been really enjoyable and all the boys are making it easy. I’m loving it.

What do you love most about being a part of the Reds squad?

For me, this is only my second year with the Reds boys, I think, just being involved with everything. I’m still learning heaps from the players and the coaches, they've really helped me develop my game. So just learning and being more included.

You’re a Brissy boy now, but you’re originally from the Sunny Coast. How did you find moving from there to Brisbane?

Yeah. So I grew up on the Sunshine Coast, I moved to Brisbane to be in the boarding school at 14. It wasn’t too bad. I didn’t find it too complicated, I wasn’t really a homeboy anyway! I found it pretty easy to transition. I just stayed down here and moved into my own place when I finished school, so I’ve really enjoyed it.

Boarding school didn’t teach me to cook or anything, but it definitely made the change a lot easier.

When did you start playing rugby and what inspired you to play the game?

I was grade one when I started playing rugby, so 6 or 7 years old. My dad played rugby, so he was always pushing us. I loved rugby before I started playing. When I was in prep, it’s all we used to talk about and watch at home. I got into it at grade one when I was old enough to play and that stated me off.

I heard that Dan Carter was one of your heroes growing up. Who else did you look up to while you learning the game?

I always liked watching Dan Carter, especially the technical side of his game. He was one of my biggest heroes growing up. I liked watching the Australian guys too, like Berrick Barnes and those guys.

Recently I’ve enjoyed watching Johny Sexton and the way he plays. He’s probably my number one right now.

What’s your favourite thing to do outside of rugby?

I play a lot of golf. Golf is probably my favourite thing other than rugby to do. I feel like when I need to get away from rugby for a little bit, I can go away for a round and get the clubs out and not think too much about footy.

What are your personal goals at the moment?

For me, I’ve had a couple of niggly injuries in my knees, so at the moment I’m just trying to fix them and get to 100%. Probably my number #1 goal for this year and probably my #1 goal leading up, my whole life, is to play for the Queensland Reds. I’ve wanted to play for the Reds ever since I started rugby. So I’m just grateful to play here and keen to put on the maroon jersey!

That’s awesome. Thanks for the interview Carter. I’m cheering you and all of the Reds boys on this season! There are great things to come in 2020 I am sure!

Thanks Tommy! Great to see you! I look forward to seeing you more and hopefully doing some more interviews with you!

Sounds great!