It may be the off-season for the 2013/14 IRB Women's Sevens World Series runners-up, but the Qantas Australian Women's Sevens team has been on the road this past week spreading the word about Rugby Sevens.
National captain Sharni Williams and Alicia Quirk were in Canberra on Tuesday and Wednesday mixing with some of Australia's most powerful politicians. The ARU, Treasurer the Hon Joe Hockey MP and Senator the Hon Kate Lundy launched the Parliamentary Friends of Rugby Union Group in Canberra. The bi-partisan group will provide a forum for MPs and Senators to support and actively engage with Rugby in Australia.
"We were treated like royalty,' said Williams.
On Wednesday, 2013/14 IRB Women's Sevens World Series Player of the Year Emilee Cherry announced the squad for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games that takes place in Nanjing in August. Tiana Penitani was named captain of the 12-strong squad and posed for photos alongside exciting young half Raecene McGregor on Sydney Harbour.
Meanwhile, in the west of Sydney, Ellia Green, Rachel Crothers and Katrina Barker helped out at the 'Come Try Day' at Westfields Sports High in Liverpool.
Thursday saw 85 girls participate in a Rugby Sevens day at the traditional home of the game on the New South Wales south coast, Kiama Showground. Stars Emma Tonegato and Nicole Beck were on hand to put the girls through their paces.
Tonegato said: “It’s such a buzz for us to come back and help the schools out. I actually played in these corresponding competitions in 2012 and 2013, and told the girls that they have a great opportunity.”
Women's Sevens Head Coach Tim Walsh and Emilee Cherry were guests live on ABC News 24's Grandstand show on Thursday evening to review the 2013/14 Women's Sevens World Series season.
Tomorrow night (Saturday), Gemma Etheridge, Alicia Quirk and Emilee Cherry will be guests of the Manly Junior Rugby Club at its annual fundraising dinner.
Australian Sevens fans can also catch Emilee Cherry live on ABC's Grandstand radio show at 1.30pm (AET) on Saturday, talking everything from the IRB Sevens World Series to being named World Player of the Year.
The Australian Women's Sevens side return to light training on Tuesday, 17 June, resuming full training a week later at Sevens HQ in Narrabeen, Sydney.
