Amy's future filled with family, footy and fun
When the Queensland Female Performance Program squad met for the first time in December, there was one player noticeably absent. Amy Turner.
The 35-year-old had a very good reason not be at the training camp – she’s expecting a baby in June.
“I’m good, it’s pretty insane,” Turner said.
“I think I am 20 weeks now, five months, which is cool.
“I actually had my scan today, pretty hectic, but it’s pretty good ... I was supposed to find out (if we were having a boy or a girl), but 'cause my partner is at work at the moment, he didn’t want me to find out without him, so I actually have no idea, but I feel like I am having a boy, we will soon find out.”
In a classic twist, her baby is due to arrive on June 25, less than one week after the State of Origin clash on the Sunshine Coast.
“I was thinking ‘mmm , should I get a ticket to come watch Origin?’ or ....,” Turner laughed.
“But I think I am going to come up and watch Origin, how could I not?
“It’s in Queensland, so that’s pretty awesome.”
Last year Turner, a gold medal winner with the Australian Rugby 7s team at the Rio Olympic Games, played in her second match for Queensland. Her first appearance was back in 2005.
Unfortunately she only played limited minutes after suffering a concussion, but Turner said she was thrilled to have been part of the spectacle.
“Obviously, the Queensland appearance was short-lived, but being involved in it, and amongst all girls again was so good and to see how far it has come from the last time when I was a part of it, it’s huge now,” Turner said.
“Just the amount of support they have behind them in just incredible, just the training camps they have and everything is at your doorstep really, and you just have to take it on board.
“It was pretty cool being amongst the Queensland side, unfortunately we didn’t come away with the win, but ... just being involved with Queensland again and (playing with) Steph (Hancock), and I had never been able to play with Ali (Brigginshaw) before so that was awesome.
“Just coming into camp, it just felt pretty easy being involved, everyone was so welcoming and everyone got along really well and just the culture was amazing to be a part of.”
Preparing for the arrival of a sibling for her young daughter Kovah is a big focus for Turner this year, but she has also been keeping busy with her work as a youth development officer, where she run programs for disengaged youth.
She has also been assisting Brisbane Broncos NRLW coach Kelvin Wright prepare the club’s squad for the upcoming NRL Nines tournament.
“I have been doing a little bit of work with them which has been fun, so I am still trying to run around with the girls, but that probably won’t last much longer," Turner said.
"I am pretty excited to get away with the girls, with the team next week - that will be fun.
“I just want to share my experiences with the young ones coming through.”
Later this month, Turner will be doing just that as one of the Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons, alongside Steph Hancock, Tallisha Harden and Brittany Breayley attending a special clinic in Toowoomba.
“It will be fun to go along and be surrounded by all the little girls who want to be involved in rugby league," Turner said.
"It will be awesome, especially with the State of Origin coming up and trying spread the word and encouraging more girls to come and play would just be awesome.
“I can’t wait, it will be exciting.”
Although coaching is keeping her connected to the game at the moment, Turner hasn’t ruled out a return to the playing field in the future, but will be guided by what her body tells her.
“I’d like (come back to footy after the baby), but I am pretty in tune with my body, so if I feel like it’s not going to happen, then I am not going to push it,” Turner said.
“I was able to come back after having Kovah, so I went back to playing Super W and that was good, and then played rugby league.
“Having two babies might be a little bit different, it will be a challenge, but I am always up for a challenge, so let’s see how it goes.
"I am due in June, so anything’s possible.”
