Fast five with Lyllian Mikaio

Author: Colleen Edwards
Timestamp: Mon 1 Jun 2020, 08:56 AM

Lyllian Mikaio has already achieved plenty in rugby league, but there are many more goals in sight for the talented forward.

The Souths Logan Magpies prop captained the Queensland Under 18 side in their inaugural representative match last year, playing alongside her equally talented sister Tyesha.

With the BHP Premiership on hold until next season, Lyllian took the time to take part in the 'fast five' questions challenge.

Fast five with Lyllian Mikaio

Football family - does anyone else in your family play? Who / with which team?

I grew up playing sevens because my idol was my cousin Vani Pelite, who plays for the Aussie women's sevens side. So I started playing sevens at the age of 14, and playing sevens was a blessing because I got to play tournaments overseas, Nouméa, New Zealand, Paris and Hong Kong. I decided I wanted to have a second option and looked into rugby league. I signed up and played my first club footy for Aspley Under 18s in 2016.

My mate Georgia Hannaway was another reason I tried league. She had been trying for so long to convince me and my parents to let me play league, and then one day, I decided 'I’ll give it a go'. I also got to play sevens with her too and loved every moment of it.

My mum worked with Steph Hancock and one day, mum asked me to come into work. She introduced me to my mentor who to this day is still one of my biggest inspirations in my footy journey. I got to play my debut in 2017 for Souths Logan Magpies open women’s team.

It was a dream come true in 2018 when I got to play alongside Steph and Renae Kunst, who also inspires me. Their passion to pave the pathway for us young ones is beyond amazing and my dream is to one day, God willing, make it somewhere I can continue to chip in and help build this pathway for the future females coming up in league.

Favourite footy memory?

My favourite and most cherished memory is being selected to represent my home state in the first ever girls Queensland Under 18 State of Origin team.

I was named as captain, had my jersey presented to me by my mentor Steph Hancock and I played alongside my sister Tyesha. This will forever be my favourite memory, and is my most amazing experience by far in my footy journey.

Fashion - what’s the most worn item in your wardrobe?

I don't have a most worn item, only most worn items. I practically wear just footy shorts and rep stuff. I don't have many other clothes other than footy gear. Sometimes, mum and dad have to tell us to change when going out to dinner because I walk out like I'm heading to training.

Fitness tips? Any favourite exercises or tips for staying motivated?

I used to hate gym-ing, but since isolation, I've learnt so much more about certain training programs and exercises that can help in my game, and also, just to get the best training using the correct techniques and targeting certain areas I want to improve.

My sister and I are also ambassadors for the Logan Central F45, and Tyson Deen (owner) has always kept us in line with training and nutrition programs. He also checks in on us both physically and mentally. He has a big impact on improving my fitness levels up and game techniques.

Find out more - is there anything you are studying, reading, watching now that you are spending more time at home?

Since staying home, we've spent so much-needed family time with my siblings and parents, as well as doing family workout sessions in our garage. Before isolation, our daily routines were some sort of training five days a week, either at F45 or club training. So after work, we would go home change and be gone again from 5pm, we wouldn't get home until late and never got to sit together at the dinner table. Our weekends would be planned between the five of us kids, so younger siblings would sometimes have games on Saturday, or we would all go separate ways on Sunday due to footy games. So we practically just met up at home to sleep. But definitely, I have loved this isolation time.

I have also planned my studies for my diploma of nursing intake in January. My long-term dream career off the field is to become a paediatrics nurse and help kids. I love kids, as I have been surrounded by my big family of cousins, nephews and nieces.