The New Zealand Women's Sevens team has been named for their final two tournaments of the World Series in London and Amsterdam. And it's also the first opportunity for a former player to wear the black jersey again.
Lavinia Gould's long wait on the side lines is over and she's over the moon, "Anything can happen that's been proven, if you love something enough there's every chance that it's yours."
After serving a two-year doping ban for taking a dietary supplement deemed performance enhancing, Lavinia has been named today in the New Zealand team to compete in London & Amsterdam. Lavinia said it was very emotional hearing her name being read out,
"Just to look back at all the work that I put in and the patience that I've had to stick it out, it just meant everything to me". Head coach Sean Horan adds, "I think it's a huge testament to her character and to earn her spot on the international stage."
Whilst the team have specific goals for the final two tournaments of the World Series after winning the four previous legs, Lavinia has her own personal goals to achieve.
She says, "Its been a long time coming, I'm ready to go and I'm ready to get out there and play and have heaps of fun with the girls."
Lavinia and her team mates have another three days of training at Mount Maunganui before flying out on Sunday night.