Australia’s gold medal-winning women’s Sevens team and one of Rugby’s pioneers have been awarded the highest in Australia Day honours.
The 2016 Olympic and World Series champions were awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia, capping off a milestone 12 months for women’s sport and Rugby sevens, especially in Queensland.
The 12-woman Olympic Gold Medal winning squad boasted six Queenslanders, as well as two travelling reserves who also hailed from Queensland in Brooke Walker and Dominque Du Toit.
Queensland Rugby Union’s (QRU) QAS Women’s Sevens Academy has been fundamental in assisting the Australian Women’s Rugby Sevens success and aims to continue to develop future Olympians.
QRU CEO Richard Barker said: "On behalf of the Queensland Rugby Union and the entire Queensland Rugby community we congratulate the whole gold medal winning squad on this honour and those from Queensland in particular.
“It is not only the manner in which they won Olympic gold but the way they have carried themselves and demonstrated to a new generation of fans that Rugby can be a sport of choice for young women that makes them worthy recipients of this award on this special day in our national calendar."
Sydney Convicts founder and LGBT advocate Andrew Purchas was also recognised, after more than a decade working to help develop the team.
In Queensland, the Brisbane Hustler Rugby club have been at the forefront of diversity initiatives in this space.
Wallaroos captain Ash Hewson was also recognised in local awards, named Shoalhaven Council's Sportsperson of the Year as part of Australia Day celebrations.
Australian Women’s Sevens Olympic Gold Medal winning Squad:
1. Shannon Parry: Brisbane, QLD
2. Sharni Williams
3. Nicole Beck
4. Gemma Etheridge: Toowoomba, QLD
5. Emma Tonegato
6. Evania Pelite: Brisbane, QLD
7. Charlotte Caslick: Brisbane, QLD
8. Chloe Dalton
9. Amy Turner: Brisbane, QLD
10. Alicia Quirk
11. Emilee Cherry: Roma, QLD. Hometown: Toowoomba, QLD
12. Ellia Green
