The Rugby Union Players’ Association (RUPA) would like to congratulate the Australian Women’s Rugby Sevens team on winning the 2017-18 Women's Sevens World Series.
Following tournament wins in Dubai and in front of their home fans in Sydney, second placed finishes in Langford (Canada) and Paris and a third place finish in Kitakyushu (Japan), the side has been rewarded for their consistency over the entire year, finishing just ahead of arch-rivals New Zealand in the Series points score 92 to 90.
The squad has been led by Co-Captains Shannon Parry OAM and Sharni Williams OAM, with Charlotte Caslick OAM also stepping up to help lead in Paris with Williams absent due to injury.
Those three players have now won their second Series, along with fellow Rio Gold Medallists Emilee Cherry OAM, Ellia Green OAM, Evania Pelite OAM, Alicia Quirk OAM and Emma Tonegato OAM. Fellow squad members Dominique du Toit, Georgie Friedrichs and Demi Hayes are now also two-time Series winners .
Lauren Brown, Lilian Dick, Page McGregor, Yasmin Meakes, Cassie Staples and Emma Sykes have all won their first ever World Series, with Brown, Dick, McGregor and Meakes only making their debuts in 2018.
RUPA Chief Executive Ross Xenos said that the team continued to blaze a trail in Australian colours on the world stage.
“The entire Women's Sevens squad are extraordinary role models for all boys and girls who dream of playing Rugby for their country, and also for their peers playing Rugby professionally throughout Australia," Xenos said.
"The way in which they celebrate success but also respond to adversity, and show the utmost respect to their opponents win, lose, or draw, has helped them create a remarkable culture and the beginnings of a lasting legacy. Winning the 2017-18 Series is credit to their consistency and elite performances over the last seven months of competition."
RUPA also congratulates Women's Head Coach John Manenti, former Women's Head Coach Tim Walsh, and the entire Australian Rugby Sevens coaching and management staff for their role in this wonderful achievement.
The Australian women won their first World Series title in 2015-2016, following that achievement by winning the Gold Medal as the sport featured for the first time ever at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, before finishing second in the 2016-2017 series. They also claimed the Silver Medal at the Commonwealth Games earlier this year on the Gold Coast.
The pinnacle of Rugby Sevens in 2018 is still to come, with the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens to take place next month in San Francisco.
