Watching Tomi Gavin play rugby you could be excused for mistaking her for just another one of the boys.
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The Tamworth pocket rocket is fearless, bringing down players twice her size and generally playing with a courage one wouldn’t expect from someone in only their second year in the sport, let alone a girl playing against boys.
Also quick and agile, Gavin’s talents haven’t gone unnoticed with the 11-year-old invited by the Cavaliers Rugby Academy to tour Singapore with them next month.
She was invited by the Sydney-based academy to tour after they saw her playing for the Central North under 13 girls at the recent State Sevens Championships at Coffs Harbour.
Unaware though of the academy’s existence, the invitation came so much out of the blue that Gavin didn’t believe her family when they told her for a few days.
She thought they were pulling her leg.
Born from the Barbarians concept, the Cavaliers side is a mix of boys and girls and will play in the Centarurs International Mini and Youth Rugby Tournament.
For Gavin playing alongside boys is something she is well accustomed to.
Joining the Tamworth District Junior Rugby Union Club last year, she was not only the only female player in her Tri-Colours under 10s side, but in the whole club.
“Basically I just watched my brothers (Harry and Archie) play and I decided I wanted to play,” Gavin said.
Years of battles in the backyard with them prepared her pretty well.
She had also played rugby league with Collegians since she was five.
Her determination, tenacity and skills quickly earned her the respect of her peers and opposition alike.
Stepping up to the under 12s for the Tri-Colours this season, Gavin also played for the Kookaburras under 11s at the State Championships, where she was again the only girl in the side.
Predominantly playing as a winger, she relishes any opportunity to play.
So much so that when the Country Eagles were in Tamworth last month she came straight off the field from playing an exhibition game with her Central North under 13s girls side, changed her jersey, put her head gear back on and ran out for the Tri-Colours.
She then got to be a ball girl for the main game, which was “really fun”.
Dreaming of one day playing for Australia, what Gavin loves about rugby is that “you get to meet lots of people and it’s fun to play”.
Her first time overseas, Gavin will fly out for Singapore on December 1, returning just in time for her Year 6 graduation at St Nicholas.
