Vikki Wall, a prominent Gaelic football player from Meath, has made a noteworthy move to the Ireland Women’s Sevens squad, sponsored by TritonLake, as revealed in the announcement preceding the 2024 HSBC SVNS season.
This transition is a significant leap for Wall, who was initially approached by IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora in December of the previous year to consider switching to Sevens rugby, with the ultimate goal of competing in the 2024 Olympics in Paris next summer.
Having clinched two All-Ireland Senior Football Championship titles with Meath and a stint in the AFLW with North Melbourne, Wall joined the National Sevens program in August.
Acknowledging the challenges of adapting to a new sport, she expressed her enjoyment of the learning process, citing exposure to training camps with other nations and participation in pre-season events like the Elche 7s and training in Marcoussis, France.
Reflecting on the difficulties of the transition, Wall emphasized the need to strike a balance between being a fast-tracked athlete absorbing new information and demonstrating her value in an Olympic-bound team that has already secured qualification. She noted the unique intricacies of Sevens, contrasting them with her instinctive actions in other sports like AFLW and Gaelic football.
As the Ireland Women’s Sevens team, led by head coach Allan Temple-Jones, approaches the Olympic year with a core group that made history by qualifying for the Games, Wall’s inclusion has garnered attention alongside two other recent additions, Alanna Fitzpatrick and Amy Larn.
Wall, who did not play rugby from a young age like her counterparts, recognizes the challenges of integrating into a team with Olympic aspirations and highlighted the need for confidence and understanding of the nuances of Sevens.
The upcoming HSBC SVNS double header in Dubai and Cape Town will be the stage for Wall to adapt to the demands of peak performance at different times of the day during pool stages and knockout rounds. Despite the challenges, Wall’s impressive sporting pedigree, including being the 2021 LGFA Player of the Year and winning All-Ireland medals, instills confidence in her ability to excel in the upcoming campaign.
Acknowledging the immense opportunity to represent Ireland and the prospect of the Olympics, Wall emphasizes the importance of setting small goals and not solely focusing on the outcome goal of making the squad in 2024.
Drawing inspiration from players who successfully transitioned from county sports to the Ireland Sevens team, she cites current captain Lucy Mulhall as a supportive figure who exemplifies the success of such transitions.
Wall’s positive outlook and determination to achieve more in Sevens rugby reflect her commitment to the challenges of her new sporting endeavor.
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