Remember the names! Top 26 rugby schoolgirls, teens to light up the LA and Brisbane Olympics
Schoolgirls now, these are the rugby sevens young guns who will be staring at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics - and outsiders to play at the LA Games in 2028.
Schoolgirls now, these are the Rugby Sevens young guns tipped to set the Brisbane 2032 Olympics alight - and potentially even snare a spot in the Australian team playing at the LA Games in 2028.
Former Australian player Shannon Parry, now the coach of the Australian under 18s side, said her team has talent to - and speed to burn.
And while being aimed at a home success at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, there is an outside chance one or two of them might sneak into the team to play at the LA Olympics.
The women’s Rugby Sevens medal is to be decided on the first day of the LA Olympics on what is being billed as one of the biggest days in Olympic history for female athletes.
“I wouldn;t right it off, but it would be a challenge given their age,’’ Parry said.
“But they all love a challenge.’’
Parry’s new squad will be competing at one of the biggest events for the rising stars of the sport - the Global youth championships in New Zealand in December.
An Australian schoolgirls team will also be contesting this event under coach Luke Zeremes.
“This is the premier group, the next trajectory,’’ Parry said.
“It’s a very good young crop coming through and opportunity for them to represent Australia.
“This program has proved to create opportunity. It’s a good benchmarks with 90 per cent of full time players in the national program graduating from the from national youth system.’’
Australian Under 18 Rugby Sevens Stars of the Future
Aimee Henry: AQueensland Year 11 student from Canterbury College.
A ballplayer who has come through the Queensland schools system as part of the Queensland under 16s and really stepped up while playing in the Caslicks Cup.
Charli Nikola – One of the few players out of school and now at uni. She has an Australian touch football background and got exposed to rugby via the Gen 32 talent ID program. Has jumped at the opportunity and was Next Gen player of the year for Queensland in the Caslick Cup. Coming on in leaps and bound given she had never played rugby un til 17 months ago and a great student of the game.
Cobi Ryan-Last – One of the youngest at in Year 10 at St Catherine’s Waverley. Has come into rugby after being talent ID’d in touch footy. A real player of the future and a centre ballplayer who despite her youth, is very mature on the field.
Darci Turinui – Daughter of gun Morgan and in Year 11 at St Clare’s College at Waverley.
A speedy winger with vision and who bats well above her weight. A youngster with a bright future who was a standout in the Next Gen series this year with the most tries by a winger.
Darcie Prosser-Shaw – Another from NSW and in Year 11 at Barker College. She has come into the NSW Academy via AFL where she was involved in the Giants academy. A strong carrying edge player with plenty of speed.
Kaelyn Passi – One of numerous players from the Kings Christian College shining in Sevens. A year 12 student, she is a halfback and stood out in the recent Next Gen series. She won a national title with Queensland and plays in the Bond Uni 15-a-side competition.
Lacey Cross – From NSW and a student at Freshwater Senior Campus. She is a talented power runner with plenty of attributes to admire. This northern beaches gun looks to have a big future in the game.
Layne Prince – A Townsville athlete from Pimlico state high schools who comes from a touch football background. She is the niece of NRL star Scott Prince and played in the First Nations team in the Caslick Cup. Small, fast and agile and reads the game quickly.
Logan Lemusu – A young gun from Sydny who has also been playing rugby league. She lined up in the Waratahs Next Gen teams and will be the centre for the Australian team in New Zealand. A graduate of GOAL college last year.
Maddi Pomerenke – A student from Wynnum State High School who is a talented power runner. Originally from near Gympie she has relocated to Brisbane and is part of the Queensland program. Small in stature but is always up for the challenge.
Peyton Lefau-Fakaosilea – Another Queenslander and in Year 10 at Marsden State High. She is also the youngers sister of rugby gun Alysia, and has come through the Queensland pathway. Mature despite her age and a power runner who is physical.
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Tahlia O’Brien – From NSW and Figtree High School near Wollongong. Has been involved in NRLW with the St George Dragons. Tall and athletic and a fast forward or power runner.
Waiaria Ellis – Small but mighty, she is one of the most talented young players in rugby, making her Wallaroos debut as a teen and playing at a World Cup. The Castle Hill High student is playing halfback and is an excitement machine.
Australian Under 18 Rugby Sevens squad
Logan Lemusu, Graduate 2024, Goal College, Sydney
Lacey Cross, Year 12, Freshwater Senior Campus, NSW
Madison Paig Pomerenke, Year 12, Wynnum State High School, QLD
Kaelyn Passi, Year 12, King Christian College, Gold Coast
Darci Mackay Turinui, Year 10, St Clare’s College Waverley
Darcie Prosser-Shaw, Year 11, Barker College, Hornsby
Charli Bella Nikola, Graduate 2024, Moreton Bay College. Now Uni of Qld
Tahlia Hannah O’Brien Year 12, Figtree High School
Cobi Ryan-Last, Year 10, St Catherine’s School Waverley
Aimee Kay Henry Year 10 Canterbury College, Logan
Layne Prince, Year 10, Pimlico State High School, Townsville
Peyton Leafau-Fakaosilea, Year 10, Marsden State High, Meadownbank
Waiaria Ellis, Year 12, Castle Hill High School
Head Coach – Shannon Parry
Manager – Ryan Webster
Players unavailable for selection due to injury: Coco Marsters, Tekainga Enkera-Raveora, Lola Harrison, Poppi Flanders, Anika McCarthy
2025 Australian Schoolgirls Sevens Stars of the Future
Billie Backus – From King’s Christian College in Queensland. Backus will play in the forwards. She is a returning player who was sin this touring team a year ago as a 15-year-old. One of her superpowers is the drop kick restart and she is a great finisher.
Chloe Sivewright – From Richmond River High School at Lismore in country NSW. Is a fast and very agile winger similar to Darci Turinui. One to watch and was the best finisher at the national titles on the Sunshine Coast earlier this year. Shines on the edge.
Ellazae Elers – Hunter Sports High School north of Sydney and a talented player who is also involved in rugby league and who sprung to attention playing with a Lloyd McDermott Indigenous side. One to keep an eye on and returning from last year’s side. A skilful and powerful player who went on the Samoan tour with Lloydies.
Georgina Hayes – Attends Mater Dei Catholic College and from Wagga in regional NSW. She played for Canberra in the Next Gen series and is an electric halfback involved with the Brumbies Academy. Awarded Player of the Final in the losing team at nationals who is both an organiser and a leader.
Keira Callaghan – Hunter Sports High School in NSW and a real speedster. She has been travelling to Queensland to play with Brothers in the Caslick Cup. She is a ballplayer of national interest who has great speed, agility and skillset and also went on the tour to New Zealand last year.
Lusiana Vesikula – From Kingsgrove High School in Sydney she is a power runner. who has been playing in the Next Gen series with the Waratahs. Also played with Brothers in the Caslick Cup. A really strong runner and powerful. She also represented NSW Waratahs in their big event at Narrabri this year. Has speed as works tirelessly
Matilda Vial – Keebra Park State High School, Queensland. A Gold Coast athletes and edge player who is an absolute speedster and scored numerous head-turning tries at nationals this year. She prevents as many tries as she produces with good defence and is a great finisher.
Matilda Richards – Hauls from St Michael’s College, Queensland. She is from Townsviille but as relocated to Brisbane. A genuine utility, Richards can play in any positions. A real team player, she is the hype girl of the squad and bring energy.
Mia Byrnes – From The Glennie School in Queensland who tasted success at the national championships on the Sunshine Coast. She is a talented ballplayer with excellent experienced and a high level of competitiveness. Is coming back from an ankle injury and surgery.
Poppy Gibbons – Another from The Glennie School in Queensland. She hails from Darling Downs and is a powerful and skilful player who will be utilised at the front of the field. Had the ability to get the ball to the edges and has great speed.
Reese Orcher – From Clayfield College in Queensland she has emerged from the Lloydies program. She is part of the QAS Sevens academy and very experienced. She captained the Queensland women's open team in Narrabri at the start of the season against the Waratahs. Has a cool head.
Tiki Calliste – Another from the King’s Christian College in Queensland. An edge player who is very fast and very reliable. A great team person and also very reliable and a solid defender.
TJ Murray – Also from King’s Christian College, Queensland. Plays with Bond in 15s rugby and played centre for Queensland schools. A strong defender and just 16. Had a great nationals where she was involved in a few plays that turned the final for Queensland. Will be used in the forwards
Australian Schoolgirls Rugby Sevens squad
Billie Backus – King’s Christian College, Queensland
Chloe Sivewright – Richmond River High School, NSW
Ellazae Elers – Hunter Sports High School, NSW
Georgina Hayes – Mater Dei Catholic College, NSW
Keira Callaghan – Hunter Sports High School, NSW
Lusiana Vesikula – Kingsgrove High School, NSW
Matilda Vial – Keebra Park State High School, Queensland
Matilda Richards – Mt. St Michael’s College, Queensland
Mia Byrnes – The Glennie School, Queensland
Poppy Gibbons – The Glennie School, Queensland
Reese Orcher – Clayfield College, Queensland
Tiki Calliste – King’s Christian College, Queensland
TJ Murray – King’s Christian College, Queensland
Jenna Aiono – Copperfield College, Victoria (Shadow player)
Laura-May McGovern – Siena Catholic College, Queensland (Shadow player)
Shadow players: Jenna Aiono – Copperfield College, Victoria (Shadow player), Laura-May McGovern – Siena Catholic College, Queensland (Shadow player).
Head Coach – Luke Zeremes - St John’s College
Assistant Coach – Kieran Smith - Dubbo College Senior Campus
Manager – Sophie Shadlow - The Glennie School
ASRU Executive – Sarah Ridgewell - Matthew Flinders Anglican College
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Originally published as Remember the names! Top 26 rugby schoolgirls, teens to light up the LA and Brisbane Olympics
