If a week is a long time in politics, then a year in rugby must feel like a lifetime for Tim Walsh, the man behind the new-look Australian Women’s Sevens programme.
The 2013-14 season was a breakthrough one for Australia as, just two months into his tenure, they won a first ever IRB Women’s Sevens World Series event in Dubai.
It is not surprising that Walsh regards that as one of his highlights of his first year at the helm, his players stunning the world champions with a 28 unanswered point haul for a 35-27 win.“Yes, definitely Dubai,” he recalled. “To be down 22-5 and watch the girls fight back left me a little speechless, but at the same time I was very proud of their efforts.
“The girls worked extremely hard to get to that first tournament and it was a great way to launch into the season and more importantly, begin their journey to professionalism.”In January, the Australian Rugby Sevens programme was centralised at the Sydney Academy of Sport in Narrabeen, a move that culminated in 21 players being selected to the full-time contracted list.
“The new structure has allowed us to implement a strength and conditioning programme and look in depth at the one-percenters that will make a difference going forward.”
Changing the face of women's rugby
Australia went on to beat their trans-Tasman rivals in the Cup final in Sao Paulo and lose to them in the China and Amsterdam title deciders. Their worst finish was third place in Atlanta as they ended the season as runners-up, four points adrift of New Zealand but having doubled their point tally from the inaugural season.
Walsh, along with team manager and former Wallaby Scott Bowen, has nurtured a host of women’s Sevens talent during his year in charge. None more so than Emilee Cherry, who he has helped transform from a good Sevens player to one of the best in the world.
Having been at the heart of everything that Australia did, Cherry was named IRB Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in May after scoring 195 points and 33 tries – the best statistics among all players playing in the 2013/14 Series.
“It’s a privilege to coach such a talented and intelligent group of girls at the centralised structure in Narrabeen. The move has changed the face of women’s rugby,” admitted Walsh.
“To work with girls who have an aptitude to succeed and be able to achieve results in such a short period of time has been a great experience. There is not a game that the girls don’t think they are capable of winning.”
Alongside Bowen, Walsh also led the Australian Youth Olympic squad to the first Rugby Sevens’ gold medal at an Olympic-event in Nanjing last month and believes developing junior talent is a key facet of the game.
Forging a legacy for the future
“It’s fantastic to see the expansion of the women’s game in all the states with academies coming through and it’s the first step to building a winning culture on and off the field,” admitted Walsh.
“As a whole, watching the players grow and improve, there’s not a day that I don’t look forward to coming to work and thinking about how we can make the programme better.”
As a former Australia Sevens captain, Walsh is no stranger to the inner sanctum of professional rugby, having played 17 World Series tournaments as well as the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
Now in his 13th year of coaching, Walsh is committed to inspiring the next generation of women’s Sevens players as he looks to plant the seed for success at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
“There is a long way go and the three year plan to the Olympics has only hit first gear. We will continue to work on core skills and develop a structure that suits our style of play.
“The girls and staff are very excited about the opportunity to qualify for the Olympics and we will do everything we can do to forge a legacy in 2016 and beyond.”
Australia will kick-off their bid for qualification at the opening round of the IRB Women’s Sevens World Series 2014-15 in Dubai on 4-5 December. Before that they will face Canada in a three-match exhibition series at the Gold Coast Sevens on 11-12 October.
