Australia's world-conquering Women's Sevens players launch the Aon Next Gen Sevens Series

12 January 2023 - Rugby Sevens superstars Maddison Levi, Madison Ashby and Sharni Williams today launched the 2023 Aon Next Gen 7s Series – the launchpad for Australia’s next generation of Rugby Sevens stars.
 
Starting 22 January, the best of Australia's emerging Women's Sevens talent will gather to compete across five match weekends in a round robin series running until 11 March.
 
In a change from the previous Next Gen 7s Series, three teams will be competing; New South Wales, Queensland and the new 'Rising Stars' team comprising players from ACT, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia to establish an additional pathway opportunity for players in those states.
 
The competition shapes as a platform for Australia’s potential Olympic Rugby stars of the future.
 
The Australian Women’s Sevens team dominated the world of Rugby Sevens in 2022, winning every major trophy available during the season; the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, the Rugby World Cup and HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
 
Many of the players included in the record-breaking squad featured in the Next Gen 7s tournament on their path to international glory, including Maddison and Teagan Levi, Faith Nathan, Madison Ashby, Bienne Terita, Sariah Paki and Lily Dick.
 
Australian Women's Head Coach Tim Walsh credits the series as being a key component of ensuring the Aussie Women retain their position at the top of the Rugby Sevens world in the future: “Integral to any team’s sustained success is the strength of the performance pathway, and thanks to the continued support from Aon, women’s Rugby Sevens in Australia will continue to thrive in this competitive environment. Next Generation Players will develop in an elite and action-packed competition where they test their skills and push for the possibility of future recognition with the national team.”
 
Maddison Levi: “The Aon 7s program has created a strong pathway for young talent, which is essential for the development of the Sevens game in Australia. The Next Gen series gave me an opportunity to showcase my ability, and being able to play alongside people like Isabella Nasser and Faith Nathan has been so exciting. I'm so grateful to see the next generation of Seven's stars showcase their talent."
 
Jennifer Richards, Chief Executive Officer, Aon Australia, said: “We are incredibly proud of our involvement with the Aon Next Gen 7s Series and our ongoing support for women’s rugby since 2016. Sport is an important avenue for equality, participation, and leadership that goes well beyond the playing field. It is an honour to contribute to pathway programs for young athletes to display their talent both at home as well as on the international stage. Our commitment to supporting women in sport goes back to Aon’s purpose: to help shape decisions for the better and to protect and enhance the lives of people around the world.”
 
Comp Fixtures:

Round 1: January 22 Bond University, QLD

Round 2: February 10-11 Dangar Park Narrabri, NSW

Round 3: February 18 Daceyville, NSW

Round 4: February 26 Bond University, QLD

Round 5: March 11 Toowoomba, QLD
 


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