Girls Rugby Union 7s Invitational Championships coming to Fraser Coast

Hundreds of the state’s brightest rising female rugby stars are converging on a regional Queensland town ahead of a major competition.

15/05/2023 - Event organiser Dave Robinson, councillor Jade Wellings, and Andrew Rye from Queensland Rugby Football School Union Wide Bay are ready for the inaugural state championships for Girls Schools Rugby 7s. Picture: supplied

Queensland’s best girls rugby sevens players will be converging on Hervey Bay this weekend for the inaugural state championships for girls 15-16.

The Fraser Coast Sport and Recreation Precinct will also be hosting the Rugby Union 7s Invitational Championships for girls aged 17-18, with the two competitions, organised by Queensland School Sport, expected to attract more than 200 players from across the state.

Councillor Jade Wellings said the tournaments were a chance for the Fraser Coast to prove that once again it could host top sporting events, following on from the success of last year’s Schools Rugby Union Under 15 Boys Championships.

“It is a good indication that the sport and recreation precinct is coming into its own and attracting events of regional and state significance,” Ms Wellings said.

“In June, the Wide Bay Schools Cross Country District will hold its trials event at the precinct ahead of the Queensland Schools State Championships, which will be held at the precinct in July.

“Holding these events here has a two-fold benefit for the region; they attract visitors and give our homegrown players a chance to see elite athletes in action.

Councillor Jade Wellings said the competition had a “a two-fold benefit for the region; they attract visitors and give our homegrown players a chance to see elite athletes in action”. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“The sports events are on top of other successful events such as the Wide Bay Rodders Show and Shine, which was staged at the precinct in April.”

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During the weekend, representatives from the Queensland Reds Super W team and the Queensland Academy of Sport’s Rugby 7s teams will visit to cast an eye over future talent.

The Australian women are the current Rugby 7s World Cup champions and will be among the favourites to win Olympic gold in Paris in 2024.

The Fraser Coast Sport and Recreation Precinct also hosts Queensland’s premier football team, the Brisbane Roar, for an annual training camp and an exhibition game.

It is also the base for the Queensland Reds rugby union squad when they visit the Fraser Coast.

“By attracting state and national teams and fixtures to the Fraser Coast, council helps develop the skills of locals through coaching clinics, mentoring programs, participation in exhibition matches, and just being able to watch games involving elite athletes,” Ms Wellings said.

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“The visit is also an opportunity for sporting clubs to attract members and increase community participation in sport.”

Ms Wellings said the council would continue to invite state, national and international teams to the Fraser Coast as part of its focus on growing the local economy.

“We are trying to ensure we have a healthy and active community and offering opportunities for local sportspeople to meet, be inspired by and train with high-calibre athletes,” she said.

The games in the 15-16 years competition will be played between 9am to 4pm over three days from Friday, May 19 to Sunday, May 21.

Games in the 17-18 years competition will be played on the Saturday and Sunday.