RobLawMax Labour Hire Player Profile: Lizzie Goulden (Ories)

In association with our partners RobLawMax Labour Hire, we're running regular player profiles this season, showcasing many of the young up and coming players and some of the more established players in Wellington Premier Men's and Women's club rugby.

The Women's club rugby season kicks off in the coming weeks. Details ?and draw to be confirmed, but an increase in the number of teams from six last year is likely. Last year, Northern United won both Women's competitions, and they beat Oriental-Rongotai in the Victoria Tavern Trophy final in July. Lizzie Goulden was a key member of the Ories side, and went on to start in four matches at first five-eighth for the Wellington Pride before becoming a regular for Wellington and Ories in the Sevens circuit.

Goulden is one of four confirmed Wellington players trialing for the Black Ferns at the end of this month, along with Norths duo Muteremoana Aiatu and Sanita Levave and Wainuiomata lock Jackie Patea.

Wellington teammate and Pride fullback ?Katarina Simpkins of Avalon is also in China this weekend with the New Zealand Women's Sevens side.

Name: Lizzie Goulden

Club: Oriental Rongotai

Playing position: First five-eighth

Secondary School attended: St Catherine's College

First rugby club played for: Marist St Pats

Earliest rugby memory: Having dad as my coach and being really proud of being the only girl on the team.

Playing positions growing up: I started in the front row, moving between prop and hooker.

Favourite memory from school/First XV rugby: Winning our first Wellington Schoolgirls competition with St Catherine's in 2008.

If you could choose any current rugby player, from across the world, to join your team- who would it be and why: Casey Roberston from the Black Ferns, she is such a powerful ball runner and always makes so much ground, I have always loved watching her play so to play alongside her would be a real honour.

Favourite non-rugby sportsman: Stephanie Gilmore, world female surfing champion, because I love surfing and she is the best at it.

Pre-game rituals or superstitions: I like to sit down and clean my boots the night before and have a think about the game and what I need to be doing on the field. I also like to have a few shots at goal before the game and always say a little prayer before kick-off.

What you like / dislike about training: I love that training always gives you the opportunity to better yourself and if you go want to far in sport, training is what will take you there. It can be difficult and time consuming at times, but that is what it takes if you've set your goals high.

?Hobbies and interests outside of rugby? I love surfing, playing touch, anything that involves being active.

Outside of rugby: I study law and French at Victoria and work part-time as a nanny.

Favourite superhero or fictional character: Simba

Favourite movie or TV show: Grey's Anatomy and Come Dine with Me

The last book or magazine you read was: Jodi Picoult, Keeping Faith

My signature dish is: Chicken pasta

The best advice my parents gave me was: Believe in yourself and always work hard to be the best you can be.

A motto I live by is: Know what your goals are and do what you need to do to get you there.

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