Ipswich rugby product flying high in quest to make Olympics
AUSTRALIAN Sevens rugby star James Stannard will be catching plenty of planes in coming weeks but it is being on the aircraft to Rio for the 2016 Olympic Games that remains his ultimate goal.
The former St Edmund's College student played halfback for Australia in the 50-0 win over Tonga at the Oceania Rugby Olympic qualification tournament earlier this month in Auckland, which saw Australia become the 10th nation to qualify for the 12-team showpiece event in South America.
Stannard is off to Dubai on Sunday, and then will move on to Capetown for the first two legs of the HSBC series.
The 32-year-old has represented Australia at two Commonwealth Games but has not been to an Olympic Games.
"It is exciting to get a chance to go to the Olympics," Stannard said. "Not many people get that chance, and this is the first time the sevens has been in for a long time."
The Olympics will see a strong field of rugby teams compete and the Australians will need to be at their best to prevail.
"Fiji are always tough because they are a very expansive and elusive team," Stannard said.
"South Africa have put together a strong squad and New Zealand and England will all be tough."
While not the youngest player in the team by a long shot, Stannard shows no sign of slowing down due to his attention to detail off the field.
"I started a little bit later in the professional program so that might have helped a bit,' he says of his longevity.
"In the last year or so I have changed my diet a bit. Our old strength and conditioner Lachlan Penfold, who worked at the Roosters, got us on a good diet and helped me look after my body.
"It is nothing drastic, just eating the right foods at right times."
The former Brothers and Western Force half, whose parents Mark and Sharon still live in Ipswich, looks back on his days at St Edmund's with a fondness.
"St Eddie's was the first time I got introduced to rugby and I loved it," he said. "Back then it was all about playing with your mates and having fun.
"I have still got mates back there and we talk about those days."
