Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe shared how she is chasing the Olympic dream with her rugby team as the 7s RWC European Qualifier is underway.
For Murphy Crowe, there is nothing more rewarding than sporting the Ireland jersey on the pitch.
“Any time you get to put on an Ireland jersey, I promise you it is one of the best things you’ll ever do. Whether it is a 15s or a 7s jersey, I take so much pride in it,” Murphy Crowe said. “It is something I dream of everyday is being able to put on the Ireland jersey and do my family proud and do my country proud,” Murphy Crowe said.
After games, Murphy Crowe said she gets to meet the young girls in the audience to shake hands and sign jerseys.
“For me that is a win in any sport, especially rugby, just seeing so many young girls playing,” Murphy Crowe said. “When I started there definitely wasn’t that many.
Growing up, Murphy Crowe said the athletes she looked up to were her two cousins who were golfers. Although she did not know it at the time, as she got older she said she realised how their influence impacted her participation in sport.
“You know sometimes you stumble upon being a role model or stumble upon being a leader for a group… for me, I never would have looked at myself as a leader a couple of years ago and now I am one of the senior players on the team.”
Murphy Crowe shared that her iconic try celebration was created by her 11-year-old sister, who watched other athletes on television celebrating their goals and tries.
“It is a part of my family, and I am able to bring that on the pitch which I really like to do,” Murphy Crowe said.
“For me personally, going to the Olympics is a childhood dream of mine, coming from athletics, watching the Olympics and then I kind of lost sight of the Olympic dream when I joined the 15s as a 15-year-old,” Murphy Crowe said.
When she was approached to join the 7s team she realised she had been presented with a window into the Olympics again.
Up next, the Ireland rugby team will face off against Wales on 17 July in the Women’s World Cup Qualifier.
To watch the full interview with Murphy Crowe, click the link below!
