Sargeant’s major sevens honour
A NEW dream has come to light for Gold Coast rugby pocket rocket Hayden Sargeant after he and Bond University teammate Josh Walker scored Australian sevens development contracts.
The opportunity comes in the wake of a trial day in Sydney which the pair and two further Bullsharks players – Dan Boardman and Ryan Menzies – were invited to.
Sargeant has been kicking goals in the 15-a-side format, representing the Junior Wallabies squad this year before being picked up by National Rugby Championship side Melbourne Rising but he now has a second path to a professional rugby career.
“I think it could be a new goal of mine and especially with the Olympics coming up, that could be something I really set my eyes on and really try to focus on,” the 20year-old said.
“Last year was probably my first year of really giving sevens a crack.
“I got to the nationals and liked what was happening and really liked the feel of the game.
“I’m definitely trying to keep all of my options open at the moment and this has come up so it’s really exciting and it could be a good opportunity for what is upcoming.”
Sargeant spent the Queensland Premier Rugby winter playing fullback, wing and flyhalf for the Bullsharks and his speed and skills make him well suited to sevens – not that he is ditching the traditional format just yet.
“I can still see myself having a career with 15s as well … when it comes down to it I’ll have to weigh up which option I’d choose,” he said.
The construction management and quantity surveying student at Bond will remain on the Coast as part of his sevens development contract.
“I get to stay in Queensland, I get to keep playing 15s, train with Bond but then just a little bit of extra travelling down to Sydney for a few camps and a few training blocks,” said Sargeant, who played junior rugby for Surfers Paradise.
Walker meanwhile could follow in the footsteps of sister Brooke, part of Australia’s gold medal winning sevens squad at the Rio Olympics.
I’M DEFINITELY TRYING TO KEEP ALL OF MY OPTIONS OPEN AT THE MOMENT AND THIS HAS COME UP SO IT’S REALLY EXCITING HAYDEN SARGEANT