New Reds recruit Lachie Turner meets the Queensland Women’s Sevens squad – Photo: QRU
Queensland Reds Media Release -
Queensland Red have won their second National Women’s Sevens Championship, beating NSW Blue 19-nil in the Cup Final at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.
Tries to Shaan Waru, Emilee Cherry and Charlotte Caslick, as well as two conversions from Cherry secured the title for the Queensland Women, who went through the tournament undefeated.
The Queensland side won the inaugural National Women’s Sevens Championships in 2012 and finished in third place as the plate winners in 2013.
Queensland Red claimed wins over Australian Services, NSW White and Western Australia in the pool stages before going on to defeat Queensland White in the Qualifying Final, and ACT in the Semi-Final to make it through to the Cup Final.
Australian Women’s Sevens representative and Queensland Red captain, Shannon Parry, was ecstatic with the win.
“With the three Australian Sevens girls joining the team late in the piece, we did well to come together and gel the way we did throughout the tournament,” Parry said.
“It’s always a big occasion when Queensland and NSW play each other in a Final so it’s great to pick up the win.
“Having a mix of both youth and experience was a positive for the team, it’s always great to pass on your knowledge onto other athletes.”
Australian Sevens young gun Charlotte Caslick was a standout for Queensland Red throughout the two days of competition and was named ‘Player of the Tournament’ following the Cup Final.
“Charlotte was great for us and really stepped it up another level in the final. She made a number of crucial breaks and was excellent as out last line of defence,” said Parry.
“Shaan Waru was another standout player for us, she was really strong over the ball and it’s great that Queensland Rugby was able to identify her.”
Queensland White finished seventh overall, defeating South Australia 24-nil in the seventh place playoff.
Queensland Rugby’s General Manager – Game Development, Rob Donaghue, was pleased with the Queensland team’s performance across the two-day tournament.
“It’s great to see the Queensland Red side secure the title,” Donaghue said.
“The team featured some of our more experienced campaigners in Shannon Parry and Emilee Cherry, but also a lot of our younger talent including girls who we have been working with over the last 12 months in our Elite Junior Girls Sevens Development Squad.
“Moving forward, QRU are making greater investment into women’s sevens development, introducing the Youth Girls Sevens Development Squad. The program has centres in Brisbane, Darling Downs, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton and Central Highlands.
“We also have the Queensland Women’s Sevens Development Squad, which will begin training in two weeks at Ballymore,” he added.
Ahead of the game’s inclusion at 2016 Rio Olympics, Seven’s Rugby has helped grow women’s participation in the code throughout Queensland.
To see all the results of the Queensland teams throughout the two-day competition, follow this link: http://ausrug.by/1fNrJbd.
Queensland Red
1. Charlotte Caslick; 2. Evie Everden; 3. Karina Brown; 4. Maddison McCarthy; 5. Emilee Cherry; 6. Shenae Ciesiolka; 7. Marioulla Belessis; 8. Shannon Parry (C); 9. Lauren Potter; 10. Georgina Friedrichs; 11. Shaan Waru; 12. Liz Patu
Coach: Sione Fukofuka
Manager: Sarah Stibbard