The 25-year-old was one of three new players added to the Australian Rugby Union contract list, which was announced at the weekend and also includes Newcastle-based 18-year-old Tanisha Stanton.

Gray, who represented the Wallaroos at the World Cup in France in August, will now focus on the shortened form of the game in an effort to make it to Rio in 2016 and beyond.

“I intend to make the most of this opportunity and it goes without saying that my long-term goal is to help Australia earn qualification to the Olympics, represent Australia in Rio, and then my country at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018,” she said.

The bigger tournaments will be Gray’s long-term focus.

Meanwhile, receiving a contract enables her to achieve a goal of playing sport ­professionally.

“I am so excited to be handed a ­contract and to be able to play sport ­professionally,” she said.

“It is a dream come true for me and it will be so good to be surrounded by the experience that the girls already have but also to learn from the likes of Tim [Walsh] and the coaching staff. 

“I’m looking forward to learning from everyone and working on the little things that will improve my game – I know that my hard work only starts now.”

Gray has already been working hard, recently returning to full fitness after undergoing knee surgery on a medial cruciate ligament injury sustained at the World Cup earlier this year.

The loose forward hoped this would hold her in good stead as she joined the team and pushed for selection.

“I’m a forward that will bring a bit of size and strength to the group and ­hopefully add something with my ball running,” she said.

“In terms of my own ambitions, I’m keen to improve all aspects of my game. 

“I’m no different to any of the ­players in the squad in that, obviously, I hope to earn selection for the World Series squads.”

Gray, Chloe Dalton and Brooke Walker were the new players added to the national squad and head coach Tim Walsh said the trio had earned their call up.

“Over the past 12 to 15 months, we have been slowly broadening our ­talent base across the women’s game in Australia,” Walsh said.

“I’ve been hugely impressed with the progress Chloe has made over the past few months while Mollie is a ­fearless competitor who will add extra depth to our forwards. 

“Brooke, meanwhile, has been training with us for a while and has impressed everyone with her skill set. 

“I’m looking forward to seeing how these players develop in a professional environment.”

Walsh said Rio was the primary objective for the squad, but he was also ­considering tournaments after the Olympic debut.

“I won’t shy away from the fact that our ultimate goal is to qualify for Rio, but it is also my job to look beyond 2016, towards the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and the Olympics in Tokyo come 2020,” he said.

“Our work is never done, but I think I have a squad of players that can push each other all the way as we strive to be the best team we can possibly be.”