Averyl Mitchell Rugby Union Interview

Averyl Mitchell Is Kicking Goals On and Off the Field

At just 24, Averyl Mitchell is creating quite the reputation on and off the field in the world of rugby union. Not only is she a budding Super W player but also Queensland Rugby Union's trusty graphic designer. Not to mention, she's just been named in the Wallaroos first squad! Meaning she's represented Queensland and now Australia for the first time in the same year!

This year Averyl has seamlessly juggled training at Ballymore and a part-time graphic designer workload. Now, these two may sound like an unlikely match, but for Averyl working with Queensland Rugby Union on and off the field is something of a dream - the breezy commute to training is always a plus too.

Interview with Averyl Mitchell

Question: What or who originally inspired your passion for rugby union?

Averyl Mitchell: My first rugby memory is watching Australia vs England in the final of the 2003 Rugby World Cup. I remember how special it was because my brother and I were allowed to stay up after our bedtime and slept in the loungeroom that night. I remember being devastated that we lost.

Other than that, I've always been pretty keen on footy. My mum loves the Olympics but other than that, no one in my family is really keen on sport in general – so for as long as I can remember I've been watching whatever code was on free-to-air in my bedtime-timeslot. Started with the Brisbane Lions in the afternoons, then as I got older the Broncos (bedtime moved past 7:30) and then towards the end of high school, the St.George Queensland Reds.

I didn't realise you could actually play rugby until I was walking past the playing fields at UQ one day and realised they had a team and just turned up mid-season one day.


Question: Congratulations on being named in the Wallaroos first squad; what does this mean to you?

Averyl Mitchell: Honestly, it's still pretty surreal. This whole season has been pretty unbelievable. It's hard to fully put into words what it means because it seems insufficient. It's such an emotional thing for me.

Being considered to represent Australia is the greatest privilege I think could ever be given to a person. I'm so lucky to have been a part of the Queensland Reds program this year, so to be – in a way – representing them, and everyone who's been a part of how I'm here - is such an emotional thing and I'm so unbelievably grateful.


Question: Can you tell us about a typical day in the office/with training?

Averyl Mitchell: I usually get to the office around 7.30am - it's pretty variable week-to-week depending on what's going on in Queensland Rugby Union. It's always pretty busy.

From there I finish around 4.00pm so it gives me some time to get things done if I've got physio or something during the day, which is usually once a week.

After work, I get changed, go down to the gym/fields and do individual skills and any rehab stuff I have to do until training starts at 5.00/5.30pm. We do gym and field stuff and get out of here at about 7:30pm/8:00pm depending on how much we need to get done. Then home – rinse – repeat.


Question: What is your training schedule for rugby union like?

Averyl Mitchell: Generally, we have squad training Monday and Wednesday and club footy Tuesday and Thursday. I usually go to physio once a week – sometimes more depending on injury.
Friday I have off and Saturday is game day.
Sunday is recovery from game day and getting ready for next week.




Question: Where do you find inspiration to train, especially when it's cold?

Averyl Mitchell: Honestly the cold isn't as bad as the heat, so I don't mind it so much.

The group up here in QLD is a big motivation, we all get along really well so that makes it a lot easier.

I guess a big part of it as well is that I'm not super talented physically. I like the idea that if you just try really, really hard for a really long time you can make it. That nothing is impossible if you're willing to work hard enough.


Question: What would we find in your gym/training bag?

Averyl Mitchell: Bit boring, nothing really unusual- boots, towel, mouthguard, water-bottle. I've usually got a couple of footies with me for throwing. There's a notebook in there at the moment for writing down new stuff we're learning.

Question: What has been your biggest rugby union highlight, to date?

Averyl Mitchell: The biggest highlight was playing the Super W grand-final, that was such an unbelievable experience. The other big highlight was getting to play with Lori (Cramer - QLD fullback) who's also one of my best mates. We haven't played together in the same team in a few years and getting to play that final together made it even more special. For me, Queensland was such a close team that playing together and for each other made it probably the biggest highlight.


Question: What advice do you have for young budding rugby union players?

Averyl Mitchell: Actual advice? Go to the gym, get stronger, see the physio before there's a problem, focus on core skills, the fitter you are – the more fun it is.

More like spiritual advice? I guess I had to become a better person before I got better at footy. You sort of have to be willing to learn all the time and keep trying to be better. Take responsibility for everything and if it's not in your control – don't worry about it. Keep turning up.

I don't know – this is what worked for me.

Having fun is probably the most important bit, though. Just loving the community and your team and the game is sort of what's underneath it all.


Question: How did you find your first season with the St.George Queensland Women's XV squad?

Averyl Mitchell: It was really challenging (preseason was a nightmare) and I've never been so nervous in my whole life, but I'm so grateful to have been a part of it at all.

Overall, it has been the best thing maybe in my whole life so far. It's also pretty surreal. I sort of can't believe I got to do it. Representing Queensland in general has been a big highlight. The playing group and all the coaches and staff made it the best experience. No fairy-tale finish unfortunately, but when we do eventually win, it'll be even sweeter.

Question: What's next, for you?

Averyl Mitchell: Let's see how this next couple of months of training go… All I'm really worried about is trying to be the best I can be for this season and go from there.


Interview by Brooke Hunter