Commonwealth Youth Games 2023: Australia’s Rugby Sevens girls to watch, 2032 Olympic hopefuls

No one knows better than Olympic gold medallist Shannon Parry what it takes to be a winner in Rugby Sevens and she believes we have the right mix for Commonwealth Youth Games success.

Some of the Aussie young guns competing in Rugby Sevens at the Commonwealth Youth Games 2023.

They are the rising stars of rugby being coached by a legend and chasing a third successive win at these Games - and favourites to achieve the feat.

They are also the players tipped to be ripping it up for Australia at the Los Angeles and Brisbane Olympics in 2028 and 2032.

And you just never know - there could even be a smokey for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Now this group of young footballers is preparing to defend gold at the Commonwealth Youth games in Trinidad & Tobago.

Rugby Sevens is one of seven sports being contested at Trinbago 2023 and one Australia is hoping to excel in.

We take a close look at the teenagers representing Australia in Rugby Sevens under coach and Rio Olympic gold medallist Shannon Parry and what makes them so special in our expert guide to our best teenage stars.

ATHLETICS TEENS TO WATCH

SWIMMERS TO WATCH

TRIATHLETES TO WATCH

NSW gun Damita Betham on her way to scoring at the Australian schools rugby championship. Picture: Julian Andrews

Damita Betham (NSW): From Ambarvale High School and one of the stars of the recent Australians schools rugby championships. Fairly new to the sport and from an athletics background, Damita is a strong ball carrier and has electric speed.

Lucinda Bourke (QLD): Hails from Warwick and at St Margaret’s Anglican college in Brisbane. She played rugby until she was 12 and then restarted again two years ago. Also a highly talented cricketer with Queensland. She will be mainly a winger or forward utility. She is a Jack of all trades with great speed and footwork. The Miss Fix It of the team.

Lucinda Bourke at the 17s series last year.

Anaia Cruickshank (NSW): A Sydney northern beaches athlete who was recently named the best player in the NSW I team at the Australian schools rugby championship. A Mackellar student, Anaia is a power forward and a strong ball carrier and was a member of Australia’s world schools championship team.

Mackenzie Davis (NSW): Mackenzie is well known as a leading touch footballer and is fairly new to Rugby Sevens. But with around 12 months in the game she has impressed. She has great footwork and is very elusive with strong attacking awareness and game play knowledge.

Heidi Dennis at the Australian Schools Rugby Championships action in 2022. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Heidi Dennis (QLD): Comes from a football background and was a member of the Young Matildas and played in the Brisbane Roar system. Has a great turn of speed and plays winger or fast forward. Strong and quick.

Fleur Ginn (QLD): From Stretton State College in Queensland. Small and agile, she also comes from a touch football background and has played some rugby league at school. She will play hooker and has good attacking and catch-and-pass skills and game vision.

Amahli - Sieli Hala runs the ball during an event in Sydney.

Rhani Hagan (QLD): From Saint Aidan’s Anglican Girls School in Queensland and is also a recent recruit from touch football. Has been accelerated due to her skills. Has great attacking ability, is fast and agile and very versatile.

Amahli-Sieli Hala (QLD): From Kings Christian College she recently debuted for Australia A in Japan and is a big talent in the game. A centre/wing with speed and great footwork. She is also a good student of the game according to her coach.

Caitlyn Halse playing with Waratahs.

Caitlyn Halse (NSW): A rising star of women’s rugby and the youngest NSW Waratahs player to debut in Super W when just 16 and still at school. Also a member of the Wallaroos squad and a head-turning player and athlete. From Magdalene Catholic College in Sydney and a utility who can cover everywhere.

Leilani Hills reacts after scoring a try during the 15s Youth Girls Queensland and Barbarians 7s Series.

Leilani Hills (QLD): A former track and field speedster who tried rugby at school in Brisbane and has gone from strength to strength in the game. Plays on the edge with great speed and athleticism.

NSW Piper Simons gets caught by Anna Park. Picture: Julian Andrews

Faitala Moleka (NSW): Played for the ACT Brumbies in Super W and recently debuted for the Wallaroos at fullback despite still being in her teens. A utility and a great attacking threat and good team player and kicker.

Piper Simons (NSW): Fiercely competitive with great leadership skills. Plays in the halves and debuted for Australia at an international invitation tournament in Dubai late last year. From Stella Maris College on Sydney’s northern beaches and the Australian vice-captain. Loves an opportunity and has great foot work.

Ava Wereta (QLD): From Kings Christian College in Queensland and playing 10 for the youth team. She is also the Australian captain. Does her job in attack and is well known for making a lot of tackles in defence. Also recently made her Australia A debut.

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