In Focus: Emma Sykes and her golden opportunity

Mon, Nov 28, 2016, 6:30 AM
Marty Cambridge
by Marty Cambridge
Ever wondered what it would be like to debut for the World Series Champions and Olympic gold medalists? We introduce Emma Sykes, part of generation next, as she prepares to make her pull on the Australian jersey for the first time.

It's rare that as a journalist you get behind the scenes access to any team, let alone World Champions and Olympic gold medalists. 

However, last tournament I got to do exactly that, allowed by head coach, Tim Walsh, to film the inner workings of the Australian Women's Sevens team as they prepared for the Oceania Rugby Sevens Championships in Suva. 

It was a squad that had some experienced campaigners and plenty of fresh faces from the side that won gold in Rio, with three members of generation next in line to make their debut. 

This is the story of one of those debutants. 

Share
Super Rugby Women's 2026 Team of the Week Round Five
Everything you need to know about the Buildcorp ASJRU Championships 2026
Everything you need to know about the Buildcorp ASJRU Championships 2026
France's record try scorer Damian Penaud will miss the rest of the summer leg of the Nations Championship with a calf injury. Photo: Getty Images
France winger Penaud to miss Wallabies, remainder of July Nations Championship Tests
Embrose Papier makes his first Springboks appearance in over eight years against Scotland this weekend. Photo: Getty Images
Springboks make 10 changes for Scotland Test