Fresh off the first ever rugby sevens gold medal, which the Australian women’s side won on Tuesday Morning (AEST) at the Rio Olympics the ARU has now announced a new national women’s university competition.
The series is expected to be played at a high-quality level and will be launched in 2017. Teams will comprise university students alongside marquee players.
Marquee players will be able to be drafted from both the Pearls squad and also players who are in state development teams.
ARU CEO Bill Pulver has said he hopes it will allow other young players to follow in the history-making team’s footsteps.
“Yesterday our Australian Women’s Sevens team became heroes for thousands of young girls and boys across the nation who will dream of growing up and playing Rugby in the Olympics, just like them,” he said.
“When we centralised our national women’s and men’s programs and made them full-time athletes, we made an investment in their future and have subsequently seen them blossom as players and as role models.
“On the back of their success, we will open up new Sevens pathways in schools, clubs and universities around the country so that more young girls and boys than ever before will have the chance to work towards their dream of representing their country at the Olympic Games.” said Pulver.
The ARU are also increasing their promotion for the women’s game and 7’s in high and primary schools around Australia and it is not just in Australia – participation in rugby sevens is up worldwide with a 33 per cent increase in Australia last year.
Pulver said it was a testament to the hard work of the team, and the growing nature of the sport around the world was a massive positive.
“When IOC President Jacques Rogge announced in 2009 that Sevens would feature at the 2016 Rio Olympics, the rugby community was thrilled. It represented a major milestone for our sport, and the opportunity to showcase our game and our sport’s values to the biggest audience in the world.” Said Pulver.
“For our women’s team to have already achieved such success is a testament to the hard work and effort they have put into the program. Sevens demands unique levels of skill, speed, physicality, fitness and mental tenacity, which cannot be achieved without incredible hard work and dedication.”
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