The University of Queensland women’s Sevens team has claimed the inaugural Aon Uni 7s title with a remarkable undefeated record, winning all four tournaments without recording a single loss.
UQ secured the title with its fourth-straight tournament win at Bond University on the Gold Coast earlier today, making it 20 wins from 20 matches in the series – recording tournament wins in Tasmania, Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast to claim the Uni 7s Grand Slam and finish the series with a perfect 80 points in the standings.
The girls from University of Queensland claimed the fourth leg of the series with a tight 12-10 win over Macquarie University in the final, after previous wins over Bond University 24-0, University of Canberra 12-5, University of New England 38-5 and University of Tasmania 21-5.
One of three Queensland teams in the Aon Uni 7s, UQ were joined on the overall series podium by Bond University who finished second, while Griffith University finished fourth overall.
Queensland’s impressive efforts throughout the series were also recognised with five girls from Queensland Rugby Union’s QAS Women’s Sevens academy named in the Aon dream team – Lauren Brown, Mackenzie Sadlerm Alysia Fakaosilea, Lily Dick and Grace Kaihua.
University of Queensland Captain, Mackenzie Sadler said: “To go 20 games undefeated is a massive credit to the girls, to Reg and all our staff, it’s amazing.
“Every game we focus on working for each other and we go together and we play for each other. I think it’s the team spirit.
“We spoke about the first round coming into this tournament, how when we came into this tournament with nothing to lose and gave it everything. I’m so proud of the girls.”
University of Queensland, Head Coach, Reg Taylor: “I was just thinking back to when we put this team together, I knew we had a good squad but to go four from four with 20 games straight, it’s fantastic.
“Everything we have asked them to do they have done, we’ve had our glitches along our way, but we’ve just stood up. All 12 of them have stood up and done their jobs and I’m proud of them.”
Macquarie University Captain, Emily Chancellor said: “We had a really good day one and I thought our day two performances were pretty good but we just couldn’t get across the line.
“They (UQ) are a great team and as a club team they spend a lot of time together and that shows when they get on the field.
“Across the board we have improved every single tournament. I have been so impressed with the standard of the tournaments from Tasmania all the way through to today and I can’t thank the ARU enough for putting it on as it is such a fantastic opportunity for us to come out and play.”
Aon Chief Executive Growth Officer, Scott Willmot said: “A big congratulations to the University of Queensland for winning the championship!
“We’re extremely proud of the Uni7s series and its overwhelming success. It’s been an absolute delight to have witnessed the teamwork and skills displayed and to play our role in supporting grassroots and pathway opportunities.”
Australian University Sport CEO Don Knapp said: “The significant advances the Series has experienced in its inaugural year are greatly encouraging – not only in the quality of sport on display, but in the level of media and commercial interest generated.
"The Series is a great example of multiple partners working together to achieve shared, organisational aims.
The foundation of a formal pathway for elite female student-athletes in rugby 7s has certainly been forged this year.
“Australian University Sport looks forward to growing the Series in 2018 in partnership with the Australian Rugby Union and competing universities.”
The Aon Uni 7s is a national women’s Sevens university competition which was established in 2017 to capitalise on the momentum generated by the Gold-medal winning national team.
The competition would included players from universities around Australia as well as marquee recruits from the national Sevens team and state development squads.
The competition is designed to help accelerate the growth of women’s sevens, which has had a breakout year with the success of the Australian women’s side, with participation in the sport growing by a third in the past year.
2017 Aon Uni 7s Series Standings:
1. University of Queensland, 80 points
2. Bond University, 68 points
3. Macquarie University, 66 points
4. Griffith University, 50 points
5. University of Canberra, 40 points
6. University of Adelaide, 40 points
7. University of Tasmania, 38 points
8. University of New England, 34 points
