Next Gen Sevens series danger players, future Olympians you need to know, squads named
There are former elite netballers, touch footballers, the daughter of a gun and a teens with speed. New faces and rising stars you need to know about in the Next Gen Sevens series. SQUADS
They are the young guns being aimed at the LA and Brisbane Olympics with the future of Australian women’s Sevens success in their skilled hands
Precociously talented teenagers, a daughter of a Wallaby and players who have moved across from other sports to play the game, including two elite netballers.
The new Next Gen 7s series in 2024 will be played over three weekends to showcase the talent of rising stars and established guns from both the Waratahs and Reds Academies.
The NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds teams will play in Sydney, Toowoomba and Byron Bay rounds from October 5.
And on the line is selection in an Australia A Sevens team.
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The program has in the past been a critical road to success for players including super sisters, Madison and Tegan Levi and Australian teammate Faith Nathan, Madison Ashby, Bienne Terita, Kaitlin Shave and Ruby Nicholas,
“When I played alongside some of my teammates in 2021 who are now in the Australian side, I was able to show coaches what I could do in a competitive environment and from there I went on to play at the Tokyo Olympics,’’ Maddison Levi said.
“Rugby Sevens is a constant evolving game and this year we saw players come into the Australian team and go on to play their first Olympic Games after coming through the Next Gen Sevens program.”
Today we look at players already making waves and others on the edge of a big future in the sport.
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Amahli Hala: This 18-year-old just signed a full time contract with the Australian 7s team. She has progressed smoothly through the ranks, playing for the Australian U18 team which won a youth Commonwealth Games gold medal and also the Global Youth 7s last year.
Has already had a taste of Australia A action and played for the Nagato Blue Angels in Japan this year.
From the Bond University club in Queensland she is known for her amazing footwork and is lightning fast.
Damita Betham: Also 18 and in 2023 part of the Australian U18 team that won a Youth Commonwealth Games gold medal and also the Global Youth 7s.
Has represented Australia A a number of times already and is a powerful runner who has transitioned from athletics in the last 12 months.
From the Gordon club, her speed and size means she will be one of the most dangerous finishers in the tournament.
Edie Burke: The daughter of former Wallaby Matt Burke now forging her own way in the game.
Represented Australian in the U18s in 2022 and has spent time with Australia A this year in France and Samoa.
Known for her ability over the ball, her never give up attitude and self described “kill mode”,
Another Gordon player.
Sophie Duff: A 22-year-old who has played for Australia A consistently the last two years in different world tournaments.
She also represented Australia at the World University Games in July and has had two stints playing professionally in Japan including six months with the Nagato Blue Angels in 2024.
A touch football convert who reads the game well, runs with intent and has good speed and footwork to back it up. Hails from the University of Queensland
Mackenzie Davis: The 19-year-old was also part of the victorious Australian U18 team at the Youth Commonwealth Games and Global Youth 7s.
Has represented Australia A a number of times in 2024 is currently training within the full-time national squad.
She only took up rugby in 2023 from touch football where she one of the codes stars.
Reads the game exceptionally well and has some of the sharpest footwork around.
Combined with her speed this makes her one of the most dangerous attacking players.
From the Burraneer club in Sydney’s south.
Milla Elaro. Another 19-year-old who represented Australian in the U18s in 2022.
Has represented Australia A consistently across the last two seasons.
Is currently training within the full-time national squad.
Known for her physicality, she is a strong ball runner who will look to be a presence at restart.
Another player from the Gordon club on Sydney’s north shore.
Tahlia Evans: A former netballer, 19, who made the move to Sevens at the start of the year.
With limited exposure to the game but a real talent.
Was with the Queensland Firebirds program in 2023 as a development player.
Evans has just represented Australia A in Samoa – only her second tournament ever.
She hails from the University of Queensland
Waiaria Ellis: Now 17 but made her waratahs Super W debut when just 16.
Part of the Australian U18 team that won Global Youth 7s with both the Australian U18 team (NZ) and the Australian Schools Team (Gold Coast).
Represented Australia A this year in Japan for Sevens 7s and in Samoa for 15s.
Has already spent time with the Wallaroos program throughout 2024.
Reads the game well and has some of the sharpest footwork around. Combined with her speed this makes her one of the most dangerous attacking players around.
From the Manly club on Sydney’s northern beaches.
Ella Fountaine: A 21-year-old who recently competed for Australia in Samoa.
Her speed will make her one of the most dangerous finishers in the Next Gen sevens tournament.
Hails from the Burraneer club in Sydney.
Fleur Ginn: Part of the highly successful Australian U18s team last year and 18.
She has also made her mark playing for Australia A a number of times recently on trips to Dubai, Japan, France and Samoa.
She is a powerful ball runner with really sharp footwork.
Has been part of the Queensland Sevens pathway since she was 13 and from the Wests Bulldogs club.
Rhani Hagan – Another Australian U18 player last year and 18.
Has represented Australia A already as well despite only picking up rugby in 2023.
This former touch footballer reads the game exceptionally well and has some of the sharpest footwork.
Combined with her speed, this makes her one of the most dangerous attacking players going around. Her Club is Wests Bulldogs
Logan Lemusu – Represented Australian Schools at Global Youth 7s on the Gold Coast in 2023 and just 17.
Reads the game well and has sharp footwork.
Considered a real danger in the attack.
Is always one of the stars of the Australian school rugby championships held each year.
Comes from the Manly club in Sydney.
Faythe Manera – A 21-year-old and regular in the Australia A team the past two seasons.
Has had two stints playing in Japan including six months this year at the Nagato Blue Angels club.
Another touch football convert who reads the game well, runs with intent and has good speed and footwork to back it up. Her club is Bond University
Piper Simons: Well known young gun from the Gordin club in Sydney.
Part of the successful Australian U18 team and also the Australia A team.
Is currently training within the full-time national squad.
Known for her ability to run the ball from half, has good speed and footwork.
Will play big minutes for the Waratahs throughout the series.
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Emmisyn Wynyard – A 19-year-old from the GPS Rugby Club.
Has represented Australia A in France, Japan and Samoa.
Another former netballer who only m, made the move to rugby in 2023.
She is a strong ball runner who moves well and has good speed to back it up. Her club is GPS Rugby Club
Ava Wereta – Australian U18 team last year and has spent vital time with Australia A this year in Dubai, Japan, France and Samoa.
The current Australian U18 captain, she is known for her exceptional tackling and ability over the ball.
A smart footballer who directs the team around the field and is from the strong Bond University club in Queensland.
NEXT GEN SEVENS SERIES 2024 DATES, VENUES
Round One – October 5 Forshaw Rugby Park, Sydney.
Round Two – October 12 Toowoomba Sports Ground, East Toowoomba
Round Three – October 20 Byron Bay Rugby Union Club, Byron Bay
NSW Waratahs Women’s 7s squads: Ruby Nicholas (Gordon) Kilahla Duff (Manly) Ella Fountaine (Burraneer), Piper Simons (Gordon), Milla Elaro (Gordon), Mackenzie Davis (Burraneer), Damita Betham (Gordon), Ella Carlisle (Burraneer), Chanel Williams (Sydney University), Logan Lemusu (Manly), Edie Burke (Gordon), Chaela-lee Falls (Manly), Amelia Whitaker (Randwick), Jacinta Windsor (Easts), Georgie Fowler (Gordon), Tess Orton (Gordon)
Stephanie Kellaway (Gordon) Tatum Bird (Manly) Waiaria Ellis (Manly) Pyper Marchant Sydney University) Tahlia O’Brien (Wollongong Tech Warriors)
Queensland Reds Women’s 7s: Sophie Duff (University of Queensland) Emma Stockwell (Wests), Rhani Hagan (Wests), Carys Dallinger (Easts), Amahli Hala (Bond University), Zoe Waters (Toowoomba Bears), Tahli Devine (Easts), Meg Gemmell (University of Queensland), Kaelyn Passi (Bond University), Kianna Maclean (GPS Rugby Club), Caitlin Urwin (University of Queensland), Melanie Wilks (Bond University), Fa’agase Tupuola-Palale (Bond University), Tahlia Evans (University of Queensland), Emmisyn Wynyard (GPS Rugby Club)
Piper Flynn (Easts), Faythe Manera (Bond University), Indiahna Frawley (Wests)
Madison Pomerenke (Brothers - Sunshine Coast), Charli Nikola (N/A), Ava Wereta (Bond University), Taleah Ackland (Toowoomba Bears), Fleur Ginn (Wests), Kahli Henwood (GPS Rugby Club) Heidi Dennis, Easts) Byron Bay Rugby Union Club.
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