Golden girls to star in third Aon University 7s Series
More game time for the squad members of the Qantas Australian Women’s Sevens team across the 10 Aon University sides headlines the third season of Australia’s elite women’s sevens competition.
The likes of Charlotte Caslick, Ellia Green, Emma Tonegato and Sharni Williams along with the next generation of Aussie 7s stars will feature prominently throughout the four-round series that moves across the country in September and October.
With a massive year for Rugby Sevens looming, Head Coach John Manenti and selectors will be looking to unearth potential new talent to join the Aussie 7s main squad as well as testing the best players to ensure they continue to build ahead of their 2020 Olympic campaign.
The Aussie 7s players will feature in rounds one and four, with wider squad members taking part across the whole series.
Rugby Australia General Manager, High Performance, Ben Whitaker said: “The Aon University Sevens Series is a crucial part of our Women’s Rugby pathway and we have seen the immensely positive effect it has had on our Aussie 7s program over the first two seasons.
“The competition amongst players and teams is fierce and our overall depth has greatly improved, with several players making the transition to the HSBC Sevens World Series.“Domestically its important as well to have that clear pathway and for individual players to have that experience of competing on a national level and we look forward to seeing how the competition grows in season three.”
Qantas Australian Women’s Sevens Head Coach John Manenti said: “The next 12 months is going to be massive for Rugby Sevens and the third season of the Aon University Sevens Series is crucial in continuing our development.
“The HSBC Sevens World Series is expanding from six to eight tournaments with more back to back rounds which is an exciting development for the Women’s game and means that we will need players putting their hands up for spots.“The competition amongst the Universities continues to grow and, as Coach, it is really exciting to see the next generation putting their hands up.”
The Aon University Sevens Series kicks off on September 14 at the University of Queensland with every round to be broadcast LIVE on RUGBY.com.au.
2019 Aon University Sevens Series
Round 1, 14-15 September, University of Queensland
Round 2, 28-29 September, Bond University
Round 3, 12-13 October, University of Adelaide
Round 4, 26-27 October, University of Canberra
2019 Qantas Australian Women’s Sevens Player allocation
University of Sydney: Shannon Parry and Jakiya Whitfeld
University of Melbourne: Ellia Green and Page McGregor
University of Technology, Sydney: Sariah Paki, Maddison Higgins Ashby and Faith Nathan
University of Adelaide: Evania Pelite and Mahalia Murphy
University of Canberra: Sharni Williams and Yasmin Meakes
University of New England: Alicia Quirk and Rhiannon Byers
Bond University (Gold Coast): Charlotte Caslick and Lauren Brown
Griffith University: Samantha Treherne, Lily Dick, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea and Demi Hayes
University of Queensland: Emma Sykes, Cassie Staples and Hagiga Mosby
University of Western Australia: Emma Tonegato and Dominique Du Toit
