TEAM: When the 2014 Australian Olympic Team heads to Nanjing this August, three Indigenous athletes will be real contenders for the podium.

Boxer Satali Tevi-Fuimaono and rugby sevens players Caitlin Moran and Amber Pilley are three of the most talented- and ambitious- members of the Australian Team heading to the second summer Youth Olympic Games.

“I am proud to be an Indigenous Australian and hope to come back with a gold medal- that would be a dream come true,” said Pilley, whose ancestors are from the Wiradjuri Nation from Mudgee.

Now the Queenslander is set to play rugby on the Youth Olympic stage in Nanjing, and she encourages other young athletes to follow their dreams.

“There are so many talented Indigenous athletes but unfortunately they don't always get the opportunity to reach their full potential due to lack of support and/or funds,” 16-year-old Pilley said.

“All I can say to other young athletes is to believe in yourself and always give 100 per cent.”

Pilley credits her parents- “my taxi”- and her nan for getting her to where she is today. Her mother excelled in track and field and her father, who was born in Wellington, played rugby league.

Young Pilley followed in her dad’s footsteps and was the only girl in her age group when she started playing rugby league at the age of nine. She picked up rugby sevens last year and was a natural, but Pilley has always looked up to a rugby league superstar.

“Greg Inglis is my idol. Besides being a great athlete and good looking he is so humble and always has time for his fans. His power and strength is unbelievable and he is amazing to watch.”

Pilley had the opportunity to meet Inglis at a State of Origin training session, and hopes to inspire more Indigenous athletes in sport in her own way.

Teammate Moran played in the National Indigenous side and boosts an Australian Sevens team hoping to win the first ever Youth Olympic rugby medals.

In the boxing ring, 2013 World Junior Boxing Champion Tevi-Fuimaono is equally determined. Tevi-Fuimaono is ultimately out to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games, but the Australian born Aboriginal-Samoan knows there is a big job to do first in Nanjing.

“This will be a stepping stone on my path and I hope to do very well at the Youth Olympics,” the 16-year-old said.

Last year Tevi-Fuimaono made light work of the 75kg division at the World Junior Championships, winning every round of his final bout against Russian favourite Vitaly Bakhmatov. He will compete in the same weight division when the YOG begins on August 16th.

Australia will be represented by a total team of 89 athletes in Nanjing. Click through below for Caitlin, Amber and Satali's profiles. More team profiles are found here >

Caitlin Moran (Rugby Sevens)
Amber Pilley (Rugby Sevens)
Satali Tevi-Fuimaono (Boxing)

Taya Conomos
olympics.com.au
@AUSOlympicTeam