Ms Roberts said that she has loved the opportunity to be on the team and to be a part of the national competition.

“Women’s rugby is growing in strength across Australia and the UNE Lions are a great team,” she said.

“I am so thankful for the opportunity to play in this team - at a national level, alongside outstanding elite players who I can learn from and work with to develop my own skills.

“I am stoked to be a part of the UNE Lions and have thoroughly enjoyed every step of the series - from training hard, to putting that training in to practice on the field.”

Ms Roberts said she was grateful to the team’s coach, Tom Bower.

“He works very hard and gives us all great support so that we can do what we love,” she said.

Armidale Regional Council is a major sponsor of the University of New England Women’s Sevens Team.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to promote the Armidale region and support regionally based athletes to be a part of a national competition,” ARC Chief Executive Officer Peter Dennis said.

“It is even more exciting to know that a valued member of our team at Council is also part of the UNE Lions team playing in the national rugby competition.”

The UNE Lions were selected as one of eight teams participating in the Series which is the first in Australia for women’s rugby.

UNE is the only team from regional Australia to be included.

The UNE squad is made up of 60 players from country NSW including New England, Central North, Central West, Hunter and Mid North Coast.

An elite squad of 24 players has been selected which includes two members of the Australian women’s sevens squad - Alicia Quirk and Hannah Southwell.