Sixteen months after her impressive performance for the University of Melbourne led to an invitation to trial for the Melbourne Rebels, Ash Walker is set to make her return to the 7s field.
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The Moree native has been named in the 23-strong Newcastle University squad for this year's Aon Uni 7s which kicks off next month.
It will be the first time Newcastle have fielded a side in the national series after taking the place vacated by the University of New England.
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Walker suited up for the Lions in the 2018 edition before being recruited to Melbourne.
Since then her career has been on an upwards trajectory.
After starring for the Rebels she was named the Super W player of the year.
She then went on to help the Newcastle Wildfires win the Jack Scott Cup Division 2 title, was selected in the Country Corellas and invited to train with the Wallaroos.
Walker isn't the only Lions connection to the Newcastle outfit with former mentor Ross Duncan coaching the side.
Speaking with the Newcastle Herald after finalising the side, he praised the work that Walker has put in on the training pitch.
"It's a squad picked on talent and potential," Duncan said.
"We opened it up to everyone. We got a lot of local players and a fairly young group. We have some bigger bodies and some younger fitter bodies. We now have to establish what style suits us best."
The competition has been split into two regions - Sydney and Brisbane. The first regional tournament is on March 27-28. The second is a fortnight later with the top three from each region to progress to the finals.
Newcastle Uni's first hit out will be at the Lake Macqaurie Sevens on February 20.
Newcastle Uni: Anika Butler (Hamilton / Wildfires), Ashleigh Walker (Maitland / Wildfires), Clare Harpley (Wagga Ag College), Courtney Currie (Wallamba Bulls), Emily Freeman (Merewether / Wildfires), Emma Bradford (Maitland / Wildfires), Jess Gentle (University of Wyoming) Jesse Southwell (Randwick Magic / NSW Youth 7's), Kaitlan Leaney (Hamilton / Wildfires), Kayla Waldron (Hamilton / Wildfires), Layne MORGAN (Randwick Magic / NSW Waratahs), Madison McArthur (Hamilton / NSW Youth 7's), Melanie Howard (NRLW Roosters), Miki Trbojevic (Eastern Suburbs / NSW Waratahs), Nicole Nathan (Eastern Suburbs), Peta Salter (Merewether / Wildfires), Sharni Waters (Avoca / Central Coast), Susannah Cooke (Eastern Suburbs), Tahlia Goldsmith (Waratah), Tamsin Barber (Eastern Suburbs), Trudi Peterson (Hamilton / Wildfires), Zali McDowell (Nelson Bay), Zara Lee (Eastern Suburbs / ADF)
James Gardiner
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
