REFOCUS, train hard, cross-fingers - that is what Bathurst rugby sevens star Jakiya Whitfeld has found herself having to do in 2020.
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It was a year which promised so much for Whitfeld, who was looking to build on a big 2019 which saw her once again shine for Sydney University in the domestic AON Uni 7s and make her World Sevens Series debut last December in Cape Town.
More opportunities in the green and gold beckoned, with national 7s coach John Manenti labelling her as one of the "outstanding players that has come through our pathway."
But the coronavirus pandemic changed her plans.
The Tokyo Olympic Games was postponed to 2021, the four-leg Uni 7s series was cancelled and then the remaining rounds of the World Sevens Series were abandoned.
"Yeah definitely not how I thought this season would plan out," Whitfeld said.
"Out last two tournaments for this season were cancelled last week."
However, as she has so often done on the rugby field, Whitfeld has simply adapted to the challenge facing her. Now her focus has been about putting in the hours with the Australian squad in training.
"We have been back at training for the past few months ... just obviously having to refocus for Tokyo 2021 instead," she said.
"Dubai and Cape Town are still pencilled in, so fingers crossed we are back on track for those tournaments at the back end of the year. But until then we are just training and working hard so we are ready when we do get to play again."
Meanwhile, Whitfeld will also work with some of the Central West's best emerging talents via the Sydney University Blue Cubs Academy trials which are being held throughout the region.
They are designed to help identify talents in both the rugby sevens and 15-a-side formats.
Bathurst's Ashwood Park will hold the second round of trials this Sunday between 10am-1pm, with Dubbo to host on July 19 and Orange on July 26.
