Brydie Parker recently returned from the Youth Commonwealth Games, where she represented Australia in the rugby sevens.

The 17-year-old recalled the week of preparation in Brisbane before flying out to The Bahamas for the Games.

“We wanted to just get there already,” she said.

“It took us 52 hours [to get there] because we got delayed flights.

“But it was awesome once we arrived.”

The team spirit wasn’t confined to the girls’ team, with Australian athletes from other sports cheering each other on throughout the experience.

“We competed for three days, and then we had I think another two days spare,” Parker said.

“But we watched all the other athletes compete, which was really good for Australia to have different sports watching you.

“So we had all the swimmers, athletics [competitors] and boxers on the sidelines.

“We thought we’d return the favour and watched all of them compete as well, which was really good spirit.”

Parker beamed as she recalled her highlight of the series – winning the gold.

“That final was just an incredible feeling,” she said.

“When the hooter went, we just all ran on and just embraced each other and it was just amazing

“We were definitely hoping for gold, that was our ultimate goal.

“We knew Canada, who we met in the final, was going to be our toughest component.

“So, once we got past them, we knew we were in for a good chance.

“They challenged us a bit in the round game so it made us want to step up that next level – and we did.

“Our final game was 31-5 in the grand final so that was a pretty awesome achievement.”

Still glowing from her latest achievement, Parker is determined not to slow down.

Looking forward, she will continue with the game she loves, competing alongside a few of her Aussie players in the University Sevens Competition at the end of the month.

“That’s a new competition that’s been introduced just this year that takes place in Launceston, Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast,” Parker said.

“I’m playing for the University of New England in that tournament so that’s the next big thing from now.”

In the meantime, she will keep her eyes set on her ultimate goal – the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.