Charlotte Caslick, Lewis Holland: Stanthorpe’s rugby power couple take Olympics by storm

Despite both Australian Rugby Sevens teams falling short in their quest for gold in Tokyo, the Aussie golden couple represented their country and region proudly pushing through injury and many challenges just to compete in the Olympics.

Australian Rugby Sevens stars Charlotte Caslick and fiance Lewis Holland represented Australia and Stanthorpe at the recent Tokyo Olympics. Picture: Justin Lloyd / News Corp Australia

Stanthorpe rugby couple Charlotte Caslick and Lewis Holland were all class as they competed for Australia in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, making their community and country proud with their resilience and team spirit throughout the competition.

Rugby lovers Charlotte Caslick and Lewis Holland competed in the Australian Women's and Men's Olympic Rugby 7's teams respectively. Picture: John Appleyard / News Corp Australia

Twenty-six-year-old Caslick and 28-year-old Holland both represented Australia in the Rugby Sevens competitions at the Tokyo Games earlier this month.

Charlotte Caslick of Team Australia prepares to take the field with teammates in the match between Team Australia and Team United States during the Rugby Sevens on day eight of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo Stadium on July 31, 2021 in Chofu, Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

After winning gold with the Australian team at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Caslick and the rest of her squad were gutted by Australia’s narrow 14-12 quarter-final exit in Tokyo.

Their disappointment was matched by Holland and the men’s Sevens team after being defeated by Fiji 19-0 in the same round.

Madison Ashby and Charlotte Caslick of Team Australia look dejected at full time in the Quarterfinal match between Team Fiji and Team Australia during the Rugby Sevens on day seven of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo Stadium on July 30, 2021 in Chofu, Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Holland was initially left out of the Olympic squad due to a hamstring injury, but a rapid recovery meant he was able to join the squad at the last minute.

Unable to be with his daughter in Tokyo due to Covid travel bans, Don Caslick said he was immensely proud of both her and Holland as the Olympics campaign“always going to be tough”.

“Charlotte’s work ethic is second to none. Her expectation of herself, to make herself better from every training or playing experience sets her apart from others,” he said.

“Lewis is part of the family, we’ve been riding the highs and lows with him, exactly the same as we do with Charlotte.”

Samu Kerevi and Lewis Holland of Team Australia after their tough loss during the Rugby Sevens Men's Quarter-final match between Australia and Fiji. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Mr Caslick said his daughter broke her hand on the first day in the match against China, but pushed through the pain to compete in her team’s remaining matches.

“No one outside the squad knows that, but it really shows her character and toughness that she gets on with the job without complaint and never looks to make excuses,” he said.

Mr Caslick said the Stanthorpe couple were looking forward to the Commonwealth Games and World Cup next year, while also aspiring for the Paris Olympics in 2024.

“I know Charlotte is excited by the young group of players that were in Tokyo and wants to be part of their success. My biased answer is that she’s probably the best all-round sevens player in the world,” he said.

Both Caslick and Holland are in quarantine with their teams after flying home from their second Olympic campaigns.

The pair represented the Southern Downs community alongside Warwick rower Harriet Hudson, who brought home bronze in the women’s quad sculls and Allora’s Matthew Denny who narrowly missed bronze, coming fourth in the men’s discus final.