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How family, 5am training sessions & a canteen influenced Madison Ashby’s career

By Finn Morton
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

In a team full of world-class talent, Madison Ashby might just hold the key for Australia ahead of the Toulouse Sevens and an Olympic campaign.

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This season hasn’t gone to plan for the Australian Women’s Sevens side, and Ashby didn’t shy away from that in a recent interview with RugbyPass.

Australia started their World Series title defence with a Cup final victory over rivals New Zealand in Dubai, but the Black Ferns have dominated the circuit since then.

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Going into the final event of their season, Ashby said this weekend’s event in Toulouse was an opportunity for “redemption” – and the vice-captain will certainly play a key role.

At just 22 years of age, Ashby has proven herself to be one of the best players on the Sevens World Series circuit.

Every time she dons the coveted gold jersey, Ashby plays with skill, maturity and leadership well beyond her years – and there’s a reason for that.

Ashby has been training for this her whole life.

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Growing up, Ashby’s dad would wake her up at 5am to train.

Looking back at her youth, Ashby said was “one of those kids” who would say that they “have a strict dad.” But now, the 22-year-old described her father as “one of my biggest inspirations.”

“If I could describe my family I would just say they’re like my ‘why’. So when I play they’re one of my biggest reasons on what influenced me to strive to even be better at my game,” Ashby told RugbyPass.

“They always tell me, ‘When you play you’ve got to enjoy it and think this is what you really want to do.’

“My dad, he’s been one of my biggest inspirations since I was little.

“When I started to make Australian teams, my dad would wake me up at 5am every morning because he would have to go to work or I had to go to school, and he would take me down to our local park and would make me run with him just to get fit.

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“He would always say, ‘You’re never sevens fit’… he helped me, especially with little skills.

“He didn’t want me to go about my life not really doing anything, and I think he really wanted me to make a career out of it.

“Because I’m good at it, he was like to me, ‘I don’t want you to be a waste of talent… I grew up with a lot of people that were amazing at what they do but they just got in with the wrong crowd.’

“I grew up with Faith (Nathan) and Sariah (Paki), so if I went anywhere I was with Faith and Sariah, I did everything with them.

“I definitely was one of those kids where I was like, ‘I have a strict dad, he won’t let me do anything.’ But looking back at it now, I’m very grateful.

“Yes I sacrificed that then but going to a party on a Saturday night to winning the gold medal at the World Cup and then going out with my team afterwards, I would rather than so much more.

“Working towards deserving to do that stuff, and I think that sacrifice is what got me to where I am now.

“At the time it was a lot of pressure, especially as a teenage girl, sometimes you’re like, ‘I wish my mum and dad were a normal parent.’

“Any great athlete, they have a bit of a psycho parent.”

After years of sacrifice, unwavering commitment and resilience in the pursuit of her dream, it all paid off – but let’s go further back; her rugby journey began at a canteen.

When Ashby was six-years-old, she used to ask her dad for money at her brothers games. Eventually, he decided to “shut me up” by signing her up for the sport.

Growing up playing league with boys, Ashy switched over to rugby union when she was about 12.

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Then, a year later, the future Commonwealth Games gold medalist was playing in an open women’s competition.

That same year, as reported by The Daily Telegraph, Ashby made national headlines when her coach and parents attempted to convince Rugby Australia to let the rising star go to the Rio Games.

But unfortunately for Ashby, she was too young – eventually, she realised that childhood “dream” at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

“It was like a big thing,” she added.

“I was 13 playing in an open women’s comp and my mum and dad got in trouble for letting me play because you’re not allowed.

“They knew I wasn’t ready, I was so young. Being here now, I’m 22, and we’re about to (go to) the Olympics.

“The amount of physical told it takes on your body to be able to do it, looking back then, when I was 13 that would’ve been an amazing dream and it was a dream.

“To already have played at an Olympics and now training for another one, to my younger self I would have been like, ‘Be patient, be patient.’”

Ashby was patient, and again, is now one of the best players on the Sevens World Series circuit.

With an elite playmaking ability, as well as some fast feet and electric pace, the 22-year-old will play a key role in the success of the Australian Women’s Sevens team for years to come.

Next up, Toulouse.

Before they go on holiday and enter the off-season, the Women’s World Series has one more stop on the 2022/23 circuit.

“Gotta get through the pool games first.

“Always quarter-finals, I say are our hardest games of the tournament because they’re do or die games.

“Just got to get through those games but definitely redemption for us. We want to leave this series with a bang so we can enjoy our break and then get ready for Olympic season.”

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Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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