Maroubra Magic’s Tia Hinds is not just an Olympic hopeful for the Paris 2024 Games; she’s a testament to the power of versatility in sports. Set to represent Australia in rugby sevens, Hinds and the Wallaroos will face South Africa, Great Britain, and Ireland in the Group Stage on July 28 and 29.
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Rugby Sevens: the Olympic path
Standing at 1.68m, the 22-year-old Hinds has become a key player in the Australian Rugby Sevens squad. Her agility and speed, honed through years of diverse sports training, make her a formidable force on the rugby field. Nicknamed “Dolly,” Hinds is particularly known for her goal-kicking abilities.
While sevens takes Hinds to the Olympics, her journey is also defined by her early success in Australian rules football. In 2017, she was named to the U15s Australian girls national side. Her performance at the NSW school girls’ championship, where she was voted best player, highlighted her athletic ability even more.
Tia Hinds, a versatile athlete
At six years old, Hinds started with touch football, following in the footsteps of her mother Janine, who represented Australia in the sport. This early exposure to touch football laid the foundation for her future success in rugby sevens.
Her time with the Maroubra Saints in Australian rules football coincided with the beginning of her rugby sevens career with Maroubra Magic. This parallel development in two demanding sports shaped Hinds into the athlete she is today.
Hinds’ career, though still in its early stages, is already studded with remarkable achievements:
– Representing Australia at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo
– Clinching gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham
– Playing a crucial role in Australia’s victory at the 2022 Sevens Rugby World Cup in Cape Town
Left out of the squad for the first three tournaments of the 2023–24 SVNS, she found her opportunity when injuries struck the team. Her comeback was nothing short of spectacular, finishing fourth overall with the most goals kicked (44) despite her initial omission.
At the grand final in Madrid, Tia’s vaunted goal-kicking led Australia to victory. She made a game-winning kick in the semi-final against rivals New Zealand. She followed it up with three conversions in the finals triumph against France.
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As Hinds prepares to showcase her talents on the Olympic stage, she carries with her the support of her junior clubs and the culmination of years of multi-sport excellence.
Published 19-July-2024