This Sunday, November 15, Ballymore will host Round 1 of the Queensland University Super Sevens Series, which will see University of Queensland, Bond University and Griffith University compete in Women’s Sevens.
The four-week series has been put together to assist with preparations for the 2021 AON University Sevens Series, as well as providing a talent identification opportunity for the Australian Sevens coaches ahead of the rescheduled 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games.
The Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) Women’s Sevens program returned to training in July, following Queensland’s COVID lock down, and this tournament will provide further opportunities for the next generation of Women’s athletes to compete for selection in the program.
“2020 has been a tough year for our aspiring Olympic athletes within our QAS Sevens program,” said Queensland Rugby Union’s High Performance Manager – Sevens and Elite Women Reg Tayler.
“Over the next four weeks, our top talent in Queensland will get to showcase their skills in front of national selectors.
“I’m looking forward to the rivalry between three of the top University programs in the country, and the standard of Rugby Sevens that they can bring.”
The fourth week of the tournament will see two Queensland teams selected – maroon and grey – who will compete against each other on Sunday, 6th December, as part of the Brisvegas Sevens event hosted by Wests Rugby Club.
Two-time AON University Sevens champions University of Queensland will be coached by Cassidy Holland, who has been part of the Queensland Sevens coaching set up in both men’s and women’s.
2020 Queensland Reds Super W head coach Moana Virtue, who coached Griffith University to the AON University Sevens title in 2018 will once again lead the Griffith side, while her Super W assistant coach Setu Naseri, who leads the women’s program at Bond University will coach the Gold Coast side.
UQ will boast the services of former Australian Sevens star Rachel Crothers as well as 2020 Reds Super W debutant Haj Mosby, Australian Sevens representative Samantha Treherne will be back in action for Griffith alongside Reds winger Ivania Wong, whilst sisters and 2019 Youth National Champions Maddie and Teagan Levi will feature for Bond.
Each University will field two teams - an elite side and a development side - providing more opportunities for Queensland’s next generation of Women’s talent.
Due to COVID restrictions and the nature of Sevens tournaments with additional movement of teams, the events will be spectator free. With this in mind the tournament will be LIVE streamed via the Qld.Rugby website.
