Ash Walker acknowledges she has "a lot of work to do to make it on the plane next year" but can't wait to get into camp with the Wallaroos in Canberra this week.
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After what has been a breakout year, the Moree native will join 31 of the best women's players in the country at the Australian Institute of Sport on Tuesday as they continue their preparations for next year's World Cup in New Zealand.
Something she has been dreaming of doing "since I was young playing on the same team as my brothers", Walker said being part of the Wallaroos "means so much" to her.
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"I love playing footy, it's always been something my family and I share," she said.
"The chance to play for my country with my family watching on would mean everything to me."
But the 22-year old isn't getting ahead of herself.
"It's a nice acknowledgement, but I've definitely got a lot of work to do to make it on the plane next year," she said.
"There's a lot of really talented girls in Australia."
One of 16 debutants in the squad, it has been a rapid rise to Wallaroos reckoning for the powerhouse centre, who has just gone from strength to strength since bursting onto the Super W scene back in February, but a long wait to get to this point.
She learnt after the Rebels last game that she was part of the training squad. But then COVID hit and the Wallaroos program was put on hold.
Her first Wallaroos' camp, she is looking to just soak up as much as she can, at the same time knowing that a good showing could lead to more such opportunities.
"I'm looking forward to the learning curve and being in the environment. And some great footy!," she said.
After this week it will be then back to their programs (they have all been set programs).
They will have a bit of time off over Christmas, although for Walker the footy probably won't be far from her hands.
"My family is coming to visit over Christmas so we'll be running around at the park with a footy for sure," she said.
