The Qantas Australian Women’s Sevens team have received a major boost with star duo Emilee Cherry and Evania Pelite re-signing with the program until 2020.
The Olympic Gold Medalists from Rio de Janeiro in 2016 have dominated the HSBC Sevens World Series in recent seasons with Emilee Cherry currently sitting in third on the all-time points scorers list in the history of Women’s Sevens.
The signings come as both Australian Sevens squads return to training ahead of the Olympic qualifying year for Rugby Sevens where teams will be vying to finish in the top four of the World Series to ensure automatic qualification to the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020.
Qantas Australian Women’s Sevens Head Coach, John Manenti said: “Emilee and Vani are two world class Rugby players and it’s a good marker for this team that they have locked themselves until after Tokyo.
“Emilee’s vision for the game, ability to counter attack from anywhere and cause headaches for defences is unrivalled. She’s also hungry to go further in the jersey, which is awesome for our program.
“Vani is the quiet engine room of our side; she does the hard work up front and never takes a backward step in attack or defence.
“As we kick off our two-year Olympic cycle I know how much excitement there is in the group for what lies ahead and for what we can add to the history of the Aussie 7s Women’s jersey.”
Qantas Australian Women’s Sevens player, Emilee Cherry said: “I’m really proud to be continuing my journey with the Aussie 7s and I know have a clear journey to where I want to go with my Rugby heading into 2020.
“This is a really exciting time for our game and to have seen the growth we have enjoyed in this sport since I started with the program is amazing.
“There’s going to be a lot of hard work, bruised bodies and ice baths between now and 2020 but I am really enjoying our program and can’t wait to get stuck in to the hard work.”
Qantas Australian Women’s Sevens player, Evania Pelite said: “I am very happy to have locked in my future for the next two years with the Aussie 7s.
“Since joining in 2013 this team has been my family and I feel we are building something very special as a squad at the moment.
“We know the challenges we face as a team, but I am looking forward to meeting them and playing some great Rugby along the way.”
Emilee Cherry
DOB: 02/11/1993
Height: 168cm
Weight 72kg
Sevens World Series caps: 29
Sevens World Series points: 734 (132T, 37C)
Evania Pelite
DOB: 12/07/1995
Height 169cm
Weight 70kg
Sevens World Series Caps: 18
Sevens World Series points: 235 (47T)
