Launceston has beaten a host of cities from traditional rugby heartlands to launch the inaugural national sevens women’s competition.
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In an historic first for women’s sport in the state, the University of Tasmania has been given the nod as one of eight successful bids to join the maiden National University Sevens Series.
Tasmanian Rugby Union development manager Luke Burgess has driven the bid since September in partnership with the university.
The retired 37-Test halfback for the Wallabies said it was a landmark day for women’s rugby and the state of the game in Tasmania.
“The ARU has shown a lot of faith in us,” Burgess said.
“Obviously, the UTas tender was really professional and competitive. UTas has got amazing infrastructure that can support a semi-pro, almost professional, rugby sevens team. The directive from the ARU was to spread the competition to new areas and that’s why it’s here.”
Burgess said the ARU was that impressed with the university’s tender to award University of Tasmania Stadium the first of four rounds of the national series on August 26-27 ahead of Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra.
“You look at the university sponsoring this amazing facility and you also look at the total sports science faculty up here – and there’s a new rectangular pitch being built at the stadium,” he said.
“The fact the university is spread over the whole state means it’s got that reach in a number of communities. So I think one team representing that whole state rather than one city was a big part of it.”
Burgess also hoped that traditional Australian Rules-fed Tasmanians will support a new state team that has repeatedly been snubbed for its own AFL side.
“Tassie always punch above its weight in terms of sport...professional sport here, the community seems to get behind it,” he said.
“Tasmanians just love sport, so to have a semi-pro football team that represents Tasmania that can really do us proud is something that everyone can get behind.
He added this series is a “fantastic opportunity for women”.
Half of the UTas sevens side will comprise of its students from Launceston and Hobart, with players from the state’s sevens side and representatives of the national squad to fill the roster.
Burgess said the long-term objective is to send a strong Australian team to the 2020 Olympics after winning gold in Rio last year.
“Wouldn’t it be great to see a young girl from Launnie representing Australia in rugby sevens?” he said.
Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
