Rugby Australia has confirmed the launch of the 2023 AON Next Gen Sevens Series.
The new format will see teams from New South Wales, Queensland and a Rising Stars team, comprised of women from ACT, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, compete in a five-week round-robin competition.
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It will start from January 22 on the Gold Coast designed to provide the next generation of stars a platform to make their name.
“Integral to any team’s sustained success is the strength of the performance pathway, and thanks to the continued support from AON, women’s Rugby Sevens in Australia will continue to thrive in this competitive environment," Women's head coach Tim Walsh said in a statement.
"Next Generation Players will develop in an elite and action-packed competition where they test their skills and push for the possibility of future recognition with the national team.”
“We are incredibly proud of our involvement with the Aon Next Gen 7s Series and our ongoing support for women’s rugby since 2016," AON Australia CEO Jennifer Richards believes.
"Sport is an important avenue for equality, participation, and leadership that goes well beyond the playing field.
"It is an honour to contribute to pathway programs for young athletes to display their talent both at home as well as on the international stage.
"Our commitment to supporting women in sport goes back to AON’s purpose: to help shape decisions for the better and to protect and enhance the lives of people around the world.”
Maddison Levi, Teagan Levi, Faith Nathan, Madison Ashby, Bienne Terita, Sariah Paki and Lily Dick are amongst a plethora of talent that have come through the program since it was introduced in 2017.
“The AON 7s program has created a strong pathway for young talent, which is essential for the development of the Sevens game in Australia," Maddison Levi added.
“The Next Gen series gave me an opportunity to showcase my ability, and being able to play alongside people like Isabella Nasser and Faith Nathan has been so exciting.
“This pathway has culminated in my chance to play on an international stage with teammates, and I’m so grateful to see the next generation of Seven’s stars showcase their talent.”
January 22: Gold Coast, QLD
February 10: Narribri, NSW
February 18: Daceyville, NSW
February 26: Bond University, QLD
March 11: Toowoomba, QLD
