Yasmin Meakes has made the first step towards representing Australia in a third sporting code and now aims to make her unexpected World Cup dream a reality later this year.
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Having already donned the green and gold jersey in touch football and rugby sevens at international events, Meakes wants to add rugby league to her already decorated resume after being named in a 40-player Jillaroos squad for 2021.
"It is pretty exciting to be part of, but I wasn't really expecting it," the 26-year-old told the Newcastle Herald.
"Now I'm in the squad, I'm so competitive I just want to make the World Cup.
"I feel everyone there had the same thought, wanting to be in that team.
"It's a bit of a reward now at the end of the year and something to look forward to and keep training for."
Scone-based Meakes was joined at a Jillaroos training camp in Kingscliff last weekend by Hannah Southwell and Caitlan Johnston, who both live at Cameron Park, and Upper Hunter product Brydie Parker.
Central Coast teammates and fellow NRLW players Isabelle Kelly and Jayme Fressard were also on deck along with CRL Newcastle premiership winner Holli Wheeler, who is returning from a season-ending knee injury suffered 12 months ago.
Meakes said she gained "confidence" as a player from attending the sessions but also a greater appreciation of the history behind Australia claiming back-to-back women's World Cup crowns in 2013 and 2017.
"It was all amazing," she said.
"Everyone was so welcoming and we learned a lot about the history and legacy of those who have played before us.
"Looking back at that 2013 World Cup and it was the first time Australia had beaten New Zealand. You could feel that emotion.
"It gives you more inspiration to keep that cup in Australia."
Meakes, who is open to moving positions from centre or wing to second-row this year, thought an email sent to her about the Jillaroos training camp had been misdirected before coach Brad Donald said "it was meant for you".
The global coronavirus pandemic has put a cloud of uncertainty over the tournament going ahead as planned in England from November 13 to 27.
Previously representing Australia at World Cup tournaments, the former Cardiff South resident Meakes won a title playing mixed touch football in Coffs Harbour in 2015 and picked up a bronze medal for women's rugby sevens in the US in 2018.
She switched codes last year and after a successful NSW Women's Premiership campaign with Central Coast, featuring a player of the final award, she progressed to the NRLW and Origin stages for the Roosters and Blues respectively.
Meakes is engaged to former NRL player, 2018 Newcastle RL best and fairest and current Scone Thoroughbreds captain-coach Adam Clydsdale with a wedding now planned for October after COVID-19 saw the initial event postponed.
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