Talented Wagga footballer Sophie Quirk is set to embark on a once in a lifetime opportunity in Japan.
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The 19-year-old will fly out for Japan on Wednesday after being offered a professional contract with Hokkaido Barbarians.
Quirk was put in touch with the Barbarians through the Queensland Academy of Sport and jumped at the opportunity to play in Japan.
"As soon as I saw it, I ran out to Mum and said I have to apply for this," Quirk explained.
"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity.
"It was 11pm at night or something so I wrote up a quick email, sent it and just said I'm so interested. Japan was number one on my bucket list to travel to next. I love Japanese culture.
"I'm so excited. It doesn't feel real yet but it will when I get over there."
The Japanese club sought vision of Quirk in action and after an interview, offered her a contract for the 2019 season.
She has deferred her university studies for the meantime and will become a full-time rugby player based in Sapporo.
"It's three days during a week training...then camps most weekends where we train all day Saturday and Sunday," she explained.
"So pretty much full-time, five days a week.
Quirk will be in Japan for four months, during which Hokkaido will compete at five tournaments across Japan in Tokyo, Suzuka, Mio, Akita and Sapporo.
"It's good, I'll be able to focus on my rugby full-time without having to work or study or anything," she said.
"It will be good to be able to put my head down and focus just on footy.
"Once I get back Aon starts again so I'll be nice and fit for that and hopefully I can have a really good season in Aon as well."
Quirk, who only started in rugby with Charles Sturt University four years ago, will be one of five international players for Hokkaido.
She played for Canberra in the national university-based sevens competition in 2017, then joined Griffith University when she moved to Queensland last year and won the title.
A first receiver or centre, Quirk is the cousin of Alicia and dreams to one day play alongside her in the green and gold.
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