Generation Next is with us now, says Walsh

Australian Women’s Sevens coach Tim Walsh has come away from the National Championships impressed with the standard of play and in awe of the next generation coming through.

“There’s been some fantastic games but the greatest thing about the women’s side (of the tournament) is that every year the standard increases across the board,” Walsh said.

“It’s just such an exciting time to be involved in Sevens.”

Walsh has seen a major surge in playing numbers on the back of the women's gold medal win at the Rio Olympics but said it wasn’t just about big numbers.

“You can see in the way that the girls play - in little things like the way that they present the ball and in defence (that the standard has dramatically increased),” Walsh added.

“There a couple of young girls out there who are really killing it and some other girls who have been in the program and are now really putting their hand up.” - Tim Walsh 

“And you can see the way that the national team is playing is filtering down to this level and girls who have been in the program are taking a real leadership role here. It’s awesome.”

There were at least a couple of girls on show at the Adelaide Shores Sporting precinct that will be running around in Tokyo in four years time at the Olympics, Walsh said.

“Without a doubt there will be a couple from here who will be running around in Tokyo,” Walsh said.

“There a couple of young girls out there who are really killing it and some other girls who have been in the program and are now really putting their hand up.”

The Women’s team World Sevens Series begins in Dubai in a fortnight and Walsh said it would be great to finish off 2016 with a good tournament there.