A third consecutive Commonwealth Youth Games gold medal is the aim of the game for Australia’s women’s Rugby 7s team at Trinbago 2023 this August.
Announced today as the green and gold contingent continues to take shape, the Rugby 7s squad previously stood atop the podium at Samoa 2015 and Nassau 2017.
This time around, the team features Wallaroos squad members Faitala Moleka and Caitlyn Halse who among those selected, with their NSW Youth 7s teammate Anaia Cruickshank also confirmed.
Ava Wereta and Amahli-Sieli Hala will bring their own international experience, having started as part of the King’s Christian College’s Rugby 7s girls’ team that recently won the 2023 SANIX World Youth Rugby Championships.
“Being able to compete at the Commonwealth Youth Games is an unreal achievement and we are all so grateful for the opportunity to represent our country, but to also meet new people and see what women’s Rugby looks like across the world,” Hala said.
“Being in this position I am so grateful for the Rugby 7s pathways in Australia, which are some of the best in the world as we’re exposed to so many competitions both in our own and age groups and women’s level.”
“Domestically we get to play with some of the best women rugby 7s players in the world, which sets the standard and allows us to learn off the women playing at the international level.”
“I’m so excited to get to Tobago and showcase what we can do as a team. I have faith in the squad and our coaches that I believe will see us well in the tournament.”
Queensland charges Lucinda Bourke, Heidi Dennis, Fleur Ginn, Rhani Hagan and Leilani Hills join the team, alongside Damita Betham, Mackenzie Davis and Piper Simons, all from New South Wales.
Shannon Parry, a silver medallist at Gold Coast 2018 and now Rugby Australia’s National Emerging Sevens Coach, congratulated the athletes on their selection.
“The team has an amazing opportunity ahead of them, as they head to Trinidad and Tobago for the Youth Commonwealth Games,” Parry said.
“There’s a good balance of both youth and experience within the group, which will serve them well in their pursuit of a win.
“Many of these players will be pulling on the green and gold at a multi-sport event for the very first time, as they challenge themselves against some of the best athletes from around the world.
“Preparations have been going well and the squad has bonded at various camps over the past few months. The girls are hugely excited for the tournament ahead.”
The Trinbago Rugby Sevens competition will take place in the Shaw Park Cultural Complex in Scarborough, Tobago and will comprise six teams across both the Women’s and Men’s events, with Australia well represented in the Women’s competition.