Gemma Schnaubelt

The 20-year-old from Central and New Ireland Province made her dream debut running on for the PNG Palais at last month’s HSBC Sydney Sevens.

It was truly a baptism of fire playing in front of thousands at Allianz Stadium on the world stage.

But it’s nothing she couldn’t handle.

“Running out of the tunnel I was nervous at first, but I knew once I made a tackle or took my first run, all those nerves would fade away,” Schnaubelt said.

Slotted into the position of fly-half by coach, John Larry, the 21 year old said she has gelled well with the rest of her teammates.

“We have the other fly-halves in the team who are good. They talk to me and tell me how their game plan is and I just adapt to it. I’m really excited about this and I can’t wait.”

Schnaubelt knows the biggest challenge for PNG will come from Australia but added the team won’t back down and will give it their best. 

After taking out the women’s player of the tournament at the recent 2017 Touch Football National Championships, it was no surprise that Schnaubelt was named in the train-on squad for the women’s national side.

Schnaubelt played for the Queensland Maganis during the championships.

From a mix parentage of New Ireland Province and Central Province, Schnaubelt started playing touch football at the age of 14.

It wasn’t long before she made the side for her school district under Brisbane Metropolitan North representative side for two years.