ABOUT Chris "STICKS"

My name is Chris Watkins, and my story begins in the coastal town of Coffs Harbour. Like many kids growing up on the Mid North Coast, sport quickly became a huge part of my life. Rugby league was my game from an early age. The physicality, the mateship, and the competitive spirit kept me hooked, and I spent years playing league and building my identity around the sport.

Then the world changed.

When COVID hit, it disrupted nearly everything — including sport. Competitions paused, seasons were uncertain, and like many athletes, I had to rethink what came next. That unexpected pause ended up opening a door I hadn’t planned to walk through. I decided to switch codes and try my hand at rugby union.

What started as a change quickly turned into an opportunity.

Not long after moving into union, I earned a spot representing the Mid North Coast team at the Country Championships. Playing at that level was a big moment for me. It was a chance to test myself against strong competition and show what I could do in a new code.

That tournament helped create something even bigger.

Soon after, I was given an incredible opportunity — the chance to train with the Australian Rugby Sevens program. For any rugby player, pulling on the green and gold is a dream, and just being in that environment was surreal. The intensity, professionalism, and speed of the Sevens game pushed me to new levels.

Training with the squad led to something even more special: the chance to tour with the team and represent Australia on two international tours.

Traveling the world playing rugby was an experience I’ll never forget. The game took me to incredible places — Dubai, America, London, Scotland, New Zealand, and Fiji. Each stop brought new cultures, new challenges, and unforgettable memories both on and off the field.