Jasmine flying the flag for Wales
PEMBROKESHIRE speedster Jasmine Joyce will fly the flag for Wales at the Rio 2016 Olympics next month after being selected for the Team GB Sevens squad.
The 20-year-old is the only Welsh woman in the 12-strong squad as she lines up alongside 11 English players.
Joyce has put her studies at Cardiff Met on hold for a year as she chased her Olympic dream.
She learned her rugby at St David’s School and Haverfordwest RFC and was the Pembrokeshire Schools 200 metre champion. She also played netball and hockey for her school.
“I can’t wait to get on that plane and actually be going,” said Joyce.
“It almost does not feel real yet. I have grown so much as a player in the last 12 months.
“I am not even capped for Wales at 15-a-side level and have only three or four caps for Sevens and look where I am now.
“At the start of my journey for Wales about four years ago I almost thought I couldn’t do it.
“I was studying my A-Levels and I had to travel two and a half hours, twice a week, from Pembrokeshire to train up at the barn at the Vale of Glamorgan for an hour.
“It was such hard work and there was a part of me at that stage of my life wondering whether I could do it or not.
“As well as being a Welsh rugby player, you need to study and get your grades as well.
“I carried and it paid off and proved anything can happen.
“I have loved every part of the journey and just going to the Olympics is amazing.
“I can’t believe it.”
The chance to have two Welsh women in the Team GB squad were dashed when Laurie Harries was ruled out of contention through injury.
“I feel for Laurie Harries and gutted she didn’t get to finish the journey with me,” added Joyce.
“But it’s the game. People are going to get injured and it could have been anyone.”
The women’s sevens tournament in Brazil will be held over three days (August 6-8) which is the day after the official Olympics opening ceremony in Rio.
“I am looking forward to experiencing the Olympics Games atmosphere and just being in the Village,” added Joyce.
“I am looking forward to just walking past people like Jessica Ennis and Usain Bolt, it’s going to be amazing.
“I also want to see other events than the rugby sevens and take everything in.”
Joyce has enjoyed a meteoric rise and her achievement has been praised by Welsh Rugby Union head of performance Geraint John, who believes she could prove an inspiration for the next generation.
“If you look at where the women’s game is going, with Jas the athlete that she is, hopefully her performances will attract young players and young girls to play rugby,” said John.
“You never know in four years’ time in Tokyo, maybe that number has increased to two or three or even more.”
James Davies and Sam Cross were also chosen for the men’s squad _ with Luje Treharne on stand-by – to take the Wales’ Olympics tally to 24, a record for an overseas Games.