The Qantas Australian Rugby Sevens program is delighted to announce the signing of Bradley Wilkin, effective from January 2015.
The Queensland Reds Elite Development flanker, who turned 19 earlier this month, arrives at Sevens HQ in Narrabeen with a wealth of experience under his belt having represented Australian Schoolboys, Queensland Schoolboys and Brisbane City in the Buildcorp National Rugby Championshiip.
Wilkin has previous experience playing Rugby Sevens after representing Australia in the Youth Olympic Festival in January 2013.
Bradley Wilkin said: “I’m really excited to be given this opportunity. It’s a brilliant chance for a new experience and to learn new skills and develop my game. I had a chat with [former Australian Sevens representative] Liam Gill at the Reds and he told me that Geraint [John] was a very, very good coach who I can learn a lot from.
“I’m looking forward to linking up with the boys in the New Year.”
Despite impressive performances in the Dubai and Port Elizabeth legs of the 2014/15 HSBC Sevens World Series from his side, Australian Men’s Head Coach Geraint John was keen to add to his stocks in the forwards.
Geraint John said: “Brad is a player that comes highly recommended. He will complement the players we have in the group already with his height and physicality. Brad is an athletic forward and will give us that extra edge at the breakdown which is so crucial in the Sevens World Series these days. From my discussions with him, he is hungry and keen to learn - I’m looking forward to working with him day-to-day at our centralised program and watching him develop as a player.
“I would like to place on record my thanks to Richard Graham and the Queensland Reds for their co-operation since we registered our interest in signing Brad.”
Wilkin will re-locate to Sydney’s Northern Beaches in the New Year and will commence training with the Sevens program on 5 January.
BRADLEY WILKIN FACTFILE:
Born: 8 December 1995
Place of Birth: Wellington, NSW
Hometown: Wellington Point, Brisbane, QLD
Height: 188cm
Weight: 100kg
Senior Club: Easts Rugby Union (Queensland)
Representative Honours: Brisbane City (National Rugby Championship), Australian Schoolboys (2012, 2013), Queensland Schoolboys (2013), Australian Sevens - Youth Olympic Festival (2013)
