The University of Tasmania has selected a 24-player squad for the inaugural Aon Uni7s series which is made up of Launceston locals and regional players from across the state.
The team consists of 50 percent students who will join with the club representatives and a marquee Aussie Sevens player, to take on the more experienced opposition from the northern states.
Coached by former Wallaby scrumhalf Luke Burgess, the squad trains five times a week with strength, conditioning and nutrition experts all part of the preparation equation.
Shanice Parker is carrying the Aussie Sevens flag with national team-mates Georgie Friedrichs and Ellia Green, who were originally listed as part of the UTAS campaign, out due to injury.
There is no doubt this inexperienced squad will face a tough task against more experienced teams, but the University is looking to use this Uni7s series as a catalyst for development of the women’s game in the island state.
UTAS is keen for this new competition to underline the creation and development of pathways for elite female athletes and has taken the opportunity to also align this sporting opportunity with the academic areas of business, education and exercise science, using those disciplines as part of the units overall growth and development.
UTAS Stadium will host the opening tournament on August 25-26 and the University is expecting a large turnout from the locals.
SQUAD
University of Tasmania
Michaelyne Arumbi
Hannah Butcher
Wynona Conway
Tahni Champion-Peakman
Lauryn Cooper
Eugenia Dennison
Jess Dobbie
Michaela Emblem
Kristina Farrelly
Lucy Featherstone
Ebony Hicks
Viivi Hokkinen
Rebecca Hyland
Rioko Learmont
Kira Maass
Kiki Morgan
Lauren Murty
Shanice Parker
Brielle Quigley
Alice Robinson
Caitlin Ryan
Eloise Struwe
Sydnee Watanabe
Olivia White