Taliqua's Road to Rio

Taliqua Clancy is the first Indigenous volleyball player to represent Australia at the Olympics. Her commitment to the sport is second to none, but when she's off the court, she's just another cheerful 24 year-old girl.

Australian Beach volleyballer Taliqua Clancy

Taliqua Clancy has been confirmed as Australia's first indigenous Olympic beach volleyballer. (AAP) Source: AAP

FAST FACT FILE

Name: Taliqua Clancy

Age: 24

Height: 184cm

Born: Kingaroy, Queensland.

Lives: Adelaide, South Australia

Olympic sport: Beach volleyball

Playing partner: Louise Bawden. The pair were partnered as Australia’s number one beach volleyball team at the end of 2012. They joined forces after the London Olympics and consistently challenge the top teams in the world.

They finished the 15-month qualification period seeded seventh on Olympic adjusted rankings, and easily secured the most direct way to the Games amongst the top 15 team.

Favourite food: Pizza

Favourite music: RnB, Indie

Star Sign: Cancer

Taliqua and Louise, along with Natalie Cook (blue) and Kerri Potthurst in Adelaide during a photo shoot for Women’s Day's 'Heroes and Hopefuls' Edition. Source: The Point

TEAM SPIRIT

Natalie Cook, a 5-time Olympian, met Taliqua when she was doing work experience at 15 years of age. Nearly 10 years later, she’s handing the baton to her and the next generation of athletes.

Here at dinner, Natalie and Kerri Potthurst (not pictured) give Taliqua and her playing partner Louise Bawden a bit of Olympic Village inspiration for when they arrive in Rio.

These scorecards are what Natalie Cook and Kerri Potthurst hung in their rooms during the 2000 Sydney Olympics when they won gold. They hope they will provide motivation and good luck!

These are the score cards Natalie Cook and Kerri Potthurst hung in their rooms during the 2000 Sydney Olympics when they won gold. Source: The Point

WORKING OUT AT THE GYM

Weight training sessions are indispensable for any athlete, and Taliqua is no exception.

Taliqua does weight training 3 times a week with strength and conditioning coaches. Source: The Point

LIFE'S A BEACH

Taliqua and Louise spend hours in the sand, practising their moves and strategies. They play on both sides of the court during training to simulate games. Here, they are purposely facing the sun, to practise playing with little visibility.

Taliqua has a lucky visor she wears to every competition – even when she plays indoors! Source: The Point

RAKING SAND

Taliqua and Louise may be Australia’s best chance at taking home the gold in beach volleyball, but that doesn’t excuse them from their chores... They have to rake the sand after each training session, without fail!