THREE Australian stars will line up for the University of Tasmania in August’s inaugural national university rugby sevens series.
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Rio Olympic gold medallist Ellia Green and national teammates Georgie Friedrichs and Shanice Parker will bolster the state’s team for the eight-team competition, which will start in Launceston on August 25-26 at UTas Stadium.
Fifty per cent of Tasmania’s team will be made up of UTas students with representatives from the state’s other rugby sevens sides and the Australian trio finalising the squad.
UTas will be coached by former Wallabies player and Tasmanian Rugby Union development manager Luke Burgess with the assistance of student and rugby representative James Erwin.
“It is absolutely incredible to be welcoming these elite athletes to our shores who will be front and centre in the community,” Burgess said.
“To have high-profile player Ellia Green, considered the fastest woman in rugby, joining the University of Tasmania ranks is a huge development.
“Georgie Friedrichs is a strong ball-player while Shanice Parker is a proven power runner so overall we have a great mix of world-class athletes representing our squad.”
In preparation, two talent identification sessions will be held in the North and South with the first at Launceston’s Royal Park on Saturday.
“We’re encouraging women from across the North, North-West and South of Tasmania to get along… they don’t need any experience, we just invite them to turn-up in their active wear,” Burgess said.
“This will be a state-wide university team comprising of players from across the state.
“Ultimately I want Tasmania to become a women’s sevens hub that puts forward a strong competitive line up of athletes who can represent Australia at the international level and this inaugural competition is the first step towards that.”
The UTas team will be announced in the coming weeks.
TALENT ID DAY
- WHAT: Selection try outs
- WHEN: Saturday from 10am to 12pm
- WHERE: Royal Park, Launceston