Following Bond University’s top two finish in Round 1 of the Women’s Aon Uni Sevens Series, the Gold Coast-based team will remain largely unchanged for the second round, which is taking place at Macquarie University in Sydney on 9-10 September.
Bond University was narrowly defeated by UQ in the Grand Final of the opening round of the Series in Launceston last month – a performance they are looking to build on this weekend.
Head Coach Ben Gollings said the team’s biggest learnings from the first round were about the tournament itself, how it plays out and that it really is anyone’s to win.
“Despite having just one win under our belt at the end of Day One, we were still able to turn things around and qualify for the grand final.
“The girls played well, especially as they continued to bond as a team throughout the tournament and our Australian players became fully integrated.
“Charlotte and Brooke proved incredibly powerful in providing experience, strength and direction.
“They gave the rest of the team, some of whom had very little match experience, a real taste of what it takes to perform at an elite level.
“The team learned a lot about themselves as rugby players, and even more about how to work effectively as a team.
“We improved massively from Day One to Day Two in Launceston, and will have grown and improved even more heading into this next tournament.
“Now that all the teams have seen each other in action, a big part of the challenge ahead becomes psychological.
“Our focus will be on the continued development of our players and our team, which is exactly what this tournament is all about – developing talent and evolving the sport of women’s rugby sevens to the next level.”
Gollings said he planned to make very few changes to his starting line-up for Round 2.
Once again, the Bond University team combines fresh new local Gold Coast talent with some heavyweight international imports, led from the front by indomitable Aussie Sevens powerhouse, Charlotte Caslick.
Bond University's 12-woman squad for Round Two comprises:
| Millie Boyle | Jess Elliston |
| Lucy Lockhart | Georgie Paige |
| Claire Boles | Katie Hefferman |
| Bailey Marshal | Hailey Butterworth |
| Stacey Flood | Trinity Mamoe |
| Brooke Walker | Charlotte Caslick |
The eight-team competition includes Bond University, Griffith University, Macquarie University, University of Adelaide, University of Canberra, University of New England, University of Queensland and University of Tasmania.
Fans will be able to watch all the Rugby Sevens action LIVE with every match to be streamed on www.rugby.com.au to see who is crowned the inaugural Aon Women’s University Sevens Champion.
2017 Aon Women’s University Sevens Series Draw
Round 1, Friday 25 August-Saturday 26 August, University of Tasmania Stadium, Launceston
Round 2, Saturday 9 September-Sunday 10 September, Macquarie University Sporting Fields, Sydney
Round 3, Saturday 16 September-Sunday 17 September, University of Queensland Fields, Brisbane
Round 4, Friday 29 September-Saturday 30 September, Bond University Rugby Field, Gold Coast