THE CASUARINA Beach Rugby Union club will launch a Casuarina Beach Women’s Sevens Team for 2017, to play in the local Gold Coast competition as well as hosting local tournaments and events at the club.
Star Women’s Sevens Gold Medallist Shannon Parry made a special appearance at the Casuarina Club on Wednesday, December 21, as a catalyst to announce the women’s side.
Mrs Parry said she hoped to help recruit and attract local women wanting to play Sevens Rugby from all over the Tweed.
The Weekly spoke with Casuarina Beach Rugby Head Coach Adam Leach, who is also an ex-Waratah player, to discuss the club’s future plans and growth.
“We’re seeking to grow our Junior player base and embarking on launching a full Senior team to play in the Far North Coast Competition,” Mr Leach said.
“On top of this we are also hoping to have our own Women’s Sevens Rugby team to play in the local Gold Coast Competition.”
Mr Leach said Australian Rugby was looking to build on the success of the Women’s Sevens Team Gold Medal achievement at the Rio Olympics.
“Our club hopes to get a women’s team together to provide a platform and opportunity for local girls wanting to play Rugby Sevens,” he said.
“We aim to get a team playing in the local Gold Coast competition as a pathway into higher representative teams and the chance to represent Australia.”
The club is also attracting a lot of support from elite athletes eager to back the new Women’s Sevens side and Seniors.
“Firstly, it’s great to see Shannon Parry come down and support the club and show her Gold Medal to the juniors,” Mr Leach said.
“We also have Ben Gollings (Ex-England Sevens Captain), who has been appointed as the local Gold Coast Representative Sevens Coach, very keen to come down and help us get a Women’s Sevens team established.
“Amongst our own coaching staff, we have ex-Brumbies and Reds forwards player Adam Wallace-Harrison as our forwards coach.”
Mr Leach also reflected on where he sees the future of Union on the Tweed Coast growing and establishing a stronger presence.
“There are lot of keen and very good Men and Women Rugby players and athletes in our local area, and the Far North Coast,” he said.
“We hope to be a club to provide a platform and pathway for aspiring players to play 15’s and 7’s rugby, and also social players just wanting to play Rugby with their friends.
“We want to be a great community and social based club for all players, coaches, and supporters within the community.
“Our club is both performance and development of players, but also participation and enjoyment.
“Hopefully the community will come down and enjoy the atmosphere and culture of Rugby both on and off the field.”
To find out more email jackp@totaldatasolutions.com.au