Schools Rugby Sevens stars in mix for Australian youth, schoolgirls teams, award winners, photo gallery

The teenage sevens guns from the Australian schools rugby championship in the mix for national youth and schoolgirls teams. The tournament standouts, award winners and GALLERY

There were great battles across the four days at the Australian schools rugby championship.

Test legend and Rio Olympian Shannon Parry said the young guns at last week’s Australian schools rugby championships in Sydney turned heads but by the 2028 and 2032 Olympics in Brisbane will be the stars of the show.

Parry, the coach of the Australian Rugby Sevens youth team, watched four days of girls action and said she was impressed with the lift in standard from 2022 where the girls competition was played for the first time at the annual schools event.

Parry was one of the selectors for the under 16 and under 18 Merit squads named late last week and said some of these players will be invited into a camp in September ahead of the naming of an Australian youth team and an Australian school girls team.

“Being in the Merit team puts them on the radar for Australian selection in the future,’’ Parry said.

THAT’S A WRAP! STARS OF THE CHAMPS HERE

There were great battles across the four days at the Australian schools rugby championship.

“It’s been really good, both age groups have really improved, and there’s a clear pathway now for these girls to come through school and then go on.

“In 2028 and 2032 a lot of the faces around now won’t be there and these girls will be in their prime so it’s very important to have a program like this.

“This tournament is helping us create our next Olympians.’’

Zara Verman on the burst against ACT. Picture: Julian Andrews

Parry said there was a noticeable improvement in numerous aspects of the schoolgirl game, including contact, catch and pass and speed.

“They are faster, stronger, more physical. Some of the smaller ones are putting their bodies in front of bigger players a lot more, they’re not afraid any more,’’ she said.

“There is definitely more speed, the athletic performance and agility has also improved, as has the kicking and restarts.

“There are four or five genuine restart kickers out there.’’

NSW U16 players celebrate their sensational win at the event. Picture: Julian Andrews

Players invited into the girls camp in September have the chance to press for the youth and Australian schools team to play at the Global Youth Sevens in Queensland later this year.

A total of 24 players will be named for these two teams.

Queenslander Dani Martens scoring at the Sydney tournament.

Numerous awards were handed out in the wake of the tournament to standout players.

The RUPA for the Best Player in the Championship Final for each competition went to

Castle Hill High student Waiaria Ellis in the Girls Open NSW side.

Holly Williams powers her way through the defence on her way to scoring.

The Under 16 award went to Goal College student Logan Lemusu from the NSWG team.

The Sugarman-McClean Award for the Best Player in each team at the championship as voted on by team members went to Grace Maxwell (ACT) from Monaro High School, Aneice Mitchell (LMDRDT) from Trinity Bay State Hight School, Anaia Cruickshank (NSWSRU 1) from Mackellar, Amelia Whitaker (NSWSRU 2) from the International Grammar School and Abbi Spooner (QLD) from San Sisto College.

NSW U16s player Logan Lemusu was a standout. Picture: Julian Andrews

#DAY ONE WRAP

#DAY TWO WRAP

#DAY THREE WRAP

The Brian Peace Award for the Players’ Player in each team went to Elise Simpson (ACT Canberra Grammar), Emmy Barr (LMDRDT Gunnedah Community College), Waiaria Ellis (NSWSRU 1 Castle Hill High School), Brooke Bosland (NSWSRU 2 Pittwater House) and Anna Park (QLD The Glennie School).

Queenslander Shalom Sauaso in the U16 final.

Action in the NSW 2 v Queensland 1 game.

The Sugarman-McClean Award for the Best Player in each U16 team went to Aamira Renouf (LMDRDT Caloundra State High School), Ella Walker (NSW The Hills Sports High School), Molly Adamson (NSW Inv Scots All Saints) and Shalom Sauaso (QLD Ipswich State Hight School).

NSW U16 player Maia Madden Khan.

The Brian Peace Award for the Players’ Player in each U16 team at the championship went to Tahlia Anderson (LMDRDT Keebra Park State Hight School), Logan Lemusu (NSW Goal College), Anastasia Leatupue (NSW Inv Hills Sports High School) and Fa’agase Tupuloa-Palale (QLD Pittwater House).

NSW players celebrate at the annual tournament.

NSW’s Damita Betham on her way to scoring. All picture: Julian Andrews

AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS U18 MERIT SQUAD

Charlize Ratu (QLD #3) Kings Christian College, Elise Simpson (ACT #4) Canberra Grammar School, Isla Talau (QLD #8) Keebra Park State High School, Mia Jones (NSW 2 #15) Loreto Normanhurst, Waiaria Ellis (NSW 1 #10) Castle Hill High School, Chanel Williams (NSW 1 #15) Matraville Sports High School, Brooke Bosland (NSW 2 #12) Pittwater House School, Pyper Marchant (NSW 1 #11) – 2007 Castle Hill High School, Manua Foleka (NSW 1 #8) Hills Sports High School, Chaela-Lee Falls (NSW 1 #13) Greystanes High School, Indianha Frawley (QLD #7) St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School.

NSW Zara Verman smashes through the ACT’s defence to score.

NSW try-scoring gun Waiaria Ellis.

Action from the girls open final between NSW and QLD.

AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS 16S MERIT SQUAD

Fa’agase Tupuola-Palale (QLD #1) Kings Christian College, Anna Park (QLD #2) – 2007 The Glennie School. Shalom Sauaso (QLD #8) Ipswich State High School, Lili Boyle (NSW 1 #6) Narabeen Sports High School, Sienna Ibrahim (QLD #3) Brisbane State High School, Khyliah Gray (NSW #16) Mackellar Girls – Northern Beaches Secondary College, Anatasie Leatupue (NSW Inv #2) – 2008 Hills Sports High School, Madison Pomerenke (QLD #4) James Nash State High School, Logan Lemusu (NSW #9) Goal College, Kaelyn Passi (QLD #5) Marsden State High School, Rastalia Smith (NSW #8) Endeavour Sports High School, Maia Madden Khan (NSW #13) Central Coast Sports School, Sienna Thomas (NSW 1 #14) – 2007 St Bridgid’s Catholic College.

NSW girls celebrate at the end of the event.

NSW Waiaria Ellis scoring one of her many tries.

Queensland’s Dani Martens scores

NSW Ella Walker on the run.

NSW’s Zara Verman gets wrapped up.

NSW's Damita Betham was another standout at the event.

Fa’agase Tupuola-Palale.

NSW and Queensland players dominated the awards list.

NSW’s Maia Madden Khan.

The best talent in Sevens Rugby was on show at the championships.

Girls were competing at the event for the second year. Picture: Julian Andrews

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