LUCKLESS BULL ON TRACK FOR STAR RETURN
CRYSTAL-LEE Walsh may just be the most luckless athlete in North Queensland.
A severe ACL tear when the sky seemed the limit, followed by a fractured finger upon her comeback, threatened to end her rugby sevens career before it could truly begin.
But the Charters Towers gun, as “scared” as she says she is, is ready to take the Townsville Festival of 7s by storm this weekend.
“It was quite a shock I would say. It took a bit to sink in and then they didn’t really pick up on the ACL straight away,” Walsh said.
“That was even more devastating that I had done more damage than what we originally thought. When I went to surgery they had to fix my meniscus as well.
“The doctors said nine months, but when I had the surgery and found out it was 12 there were a few tears.
“I do have a bit of a problem with my hamstring, it’s a bit tight but other than that I have full range and motion. I haven’t gotten my full speed back yet, but I can really work on that.”
Walsh seemed destined for higher honours in rugby’s fastest and shortest format, having been selected for the Queensland Youth Emerging squad. It was on the eve of her first foray into the big leagues when she was sidelined.
While at the time it was devastating for the teenage halfback, Walsh rediscovered her mojo when she took on coaching responsibilities with the Charters Towers Bulls.
She was also able to meet Olympic gold medallist Charlotte Caslick, who conducted a clinic in town, and the motivation to return was reignited.
Now Walsh is seeking to emulate the efforts her Bullettes achieved in 2018, when they claimed the under15s title. Ahead of what will be the largest women’s competition in the Festival of 7s’ history, she said the time had come to capitalise on the sport’s exposure.
“As a junior we were always wanting to build girls rugby in TDRU. It’s been hard with competitions like rugby league having women’s as well, so trying to get them into rugby union and build it (has been a challenge),” Walsh said. “Having those pathways known, like the Olympics, has filled a lot of young girls with inspiration.”