Written by Bond University journalism student, Andrew McKaysmith
Bond University has received a massive boost ahead of the Aon Uni 7s competition, with 2016 Olympic gold medallist Charlotte Caslick set to join the squad.
Caslick joins fellow Australian sevens representative Lauren Brown at Bond.
The Aon 7s Series is a perfect chance to test the best players in the country and unearth new talent ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Bond coach Setu Naseri welcomed the additions of the Australian representatives after taking an inexperienced team to the University of New England for trial matches over the weekend.
"The group that we took away are young, so I think it was a bit of a reality check," Naseri said.
"There were a lot of positives, there were glimpses where we were more than competitive, and I think the biggest thing for us is consistency.
"(Caslick and Brown) will make a massive difference. Their experience and rugby IQ will do wonders for our young group."
The squad played five matches in Armidale, giving valuable game time to players who have experienced only a handful of competitive sevens games in their rugby careers.
Newcomer Caity Costello suffered a wrist fracture in the first trial match on Saturday but remained upbeat.
"It was a good opportunity to get exposure to what Aon will be like,” Costello said.
“The opposition was very physical and that allowed us to reflect on what we need to work on.
"Looking at the group collectively, there was an improvement over the weekend, but I think consistency is something that we want to focus on and to move forward, playing with intent in every game and making sure that we're ready to go."