NO doubt Claire Woolmington had heard the term 'emotional roller coaster' before the start of the 2019 rugby union season, but now the CSU talent can fully appreciate exactly what it means.
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It is because Woolmington has experienced some very big highs and mentally challenging lows this year.
She has gone from representative highlights, to a horrific injury, to last week being named in the Sydney University squad for the Aon Uni 7s.
"It's been a pretty disappointing year for me. It started off unreal and then it all went downhill pretty quick," Woolmington said.
"I wasn't expecting to be picked [in Sydney Uni squad] at all. It's exciting, especially considering I haven't played much of the season and I haven't played in Sydney at all this year."
In March Woolmington began the second season of her rugby union career by travelling to Christchurch with the Central West Rugby Union Blue Bullettes squad.
A month later she was part of Southern Districts Rugby Club Rebelettes outfit which claimed silver at the prestigious Borneo International 7s.
From there Woolmington made a flying start to the Ferguson Cup season with CSU as the strong running, fleet-footed back scored seven tries in her first two games.
In round three against the Dubbo Rhinos she crossed for two more tries - a sign that Woolmington was building for a season to remember.
But before that match against Rhinos ended, Woolmington suffered a massive swing in fortunes. A tackle left her with a broken fibula and torn ligaments. It ended her Ferguson Cup season.
"I heard two cracks straight away and the pain was just ridiculous. So I knew straight away it was broken - it was very traumatic," she said.
"I ended up getting a plate with six screws then I got a tightrope to fix all the ligaments.
"I've had a few little injuries now and then, but they've mainly been in the off-season. What hurt the most was coming off going to Borneo then going to New Zealand with Central West, I thought I felt pretty fit this year and was getting to the top of my game."
Sidelined, Woolmington still attended games and tried to remain positive by focusing on other things. But the sporting all-rounder - she's also a netball and league tag talent - admitted it was tough.
It's been really mentally challenging to stay focused when I couldn't play and do all the stuff I used to do.
- Claire Woolmington
"I've grown a bit of patience in the last few months," she said.
"It was a good opportunity for me to work on other parts of my game. I was in the gym a fair bit working on upper body because I wasn't allowed to do any running.
"It was kind of good to be able to settle into my uni degree more, but yeah, it's been really mentally challenging to stay focused when I couldn't play and do all the stuff I used to do."
Two weeks ago Woolmington went to visit her surgeon for a final check up. "He was really impressed with how well it was healing and the movement I've got back in it from going to physio."
He gave her the thumbs up to lace up her boots once more and Woolmington was convinced to attend a Sydney Uni 7s trial for the experience. She's glad she did.
"One of the girls told me I should still go down to one of second phase trials just to show commitment and I thought 'Well, it's not going to hurt and it's always good to learn new stuff.'," Woolmington said.
"Then I got a message the next week to say I was picked in the squad - it was pretty amazing to get that text."
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Named alongside Woolmington in the Sydney Uni squad are fellow Bathurst talents Claudia McLaren and Jakiya Whitfeld - a member of the Ferguson Cup winning Bathurst Bulldogs outfit.
To work alongside them - as well as current Wallaroos skipper Grace Hamilton and another national representative in Emily Chancellor - will rank as the biggest moment of her rugby career.
"They are very talented girls, I'm so excited to get to play with them," she said.
"I've played with Claudia before at Lake Macquarie and then Borneo, but I haven't played with Jakiya and I haven't even played against her.
"I've played against her in league tag, but that was two-three years ago. It will be pretty exciting to play with her, watching her play, she's pretty incredible.
"I think there are two Wallaroos in the team as well, so it's pretty crazy."
The Aon Uni 7s tournament starts September 14.
