Cherry on top: Emilee recommits to sevens ahead of the Tokyo Olympics

Published on: December 16, 2020December 16, 2020 by Mary

This article was first written for and published by the Roar.

Australia’s hopes for back-to-back Olympic gold medals in rugby sevens received a boost last month, when it was announced that Australian women’s sevens superstar Emilee Cherry had made the decision to extend her deal with Rugby Australia.

While plenty has changed in the sevens space since Rio, Cherry will join a core group of women who competed in Rio and have committed to defending their gold medals in Tokyo including Evania Pelite, Ellia Green, Chloe Dalton, Shannon Parry and Sharni Williams.

Cross-code collaboration helps Dalton in her quest for back-to-back gold

Published on: October 27, 2020 by Mary

This post was first written for and published by the Roar.

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chloe Dalton made the decision to return to Sydney and move back in with her parents.

We’ve all faced challenges during the pandemic, but for Dalton, who first moved out aged 18 years old when she was playing in the WNBL with the Sydney University Flames, it was a bit of a shock.

“The hardest part of moving back home was letting them know whether I would be home for dinner or not,” said Dalton.

Sharni Williams recommits to sevens ahead of Tokyo Olympics

Published on: October 7, 2020 by Mary

This article was first written for and published by the Roar.

In a significant boost to the Australian women’s rugby sevens program, last week veterans Sharni Williams and Shannon Parry recommitted for an additional year.

This means the pair will be available to compete at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where the Aussies are hoping to win back-to-back gold medals, following their historic victory at the 2016 Rio Games.

For Williams, who is captain of the team, the decision has given her the chance to refocus.

Claudia ringing the Bell for women’s rugby

Published on: March 19, 2020 by Mary

This article was first written for and published by the Roar.

Claudia Bell was recently recognised for her outstanding achievements in advancing the opportunities for women and girls to play rugby at the Her Sport Her Way Awards.

Bell was named Young Achiever of the Year.

I was fortunate enough to be at the awards ceremony and recognised Bell’s name, as I had interviewed her three years ago, when she was playing sevens for Macquarie University and looking forward to competing in the finals that weekend.

Rebels co-captain Melanie Kawa ready for a big season

Published on: February 12, 2020 by Mary

This article was first written for and published by the Roar.

The opening two seasons of the Super W have been challenging for the Melbourne Rebels, who are yet to register a win.

Heading into season three, the Rebels have added experienced campaigner Melanie Kawa to their squad.

Untitled

Published on: July 31, 2019 by Mary

This article was first written for and published by The Roar.

In the past, the Wallaroos were not given the opportunity to play together regularly.

Over the last decade, there have been some years during which the Aussie women have played together as a team as little as twice. In some years, the team have not played together at all.

By sacking Israel Folau, Rugby Australia showed what true leadership looks like

Published on: April 12, 2019 by Mary

This article was first written for and published by The Roar.

Scott Morrison called a Federal Election. Wikileaks founder Julian Assange was arrested in London. The verdict in the Geoffrey Rush defamation case was handed down.

Yesterday was the opposite of a slow news day.

Season 2 of Super W has arrived!

Published on: February 7, 2019February 11, 2019 by Mary

This article was first written and published by The Roar.

Rugby Australia launched season two of the Super W competition in this week and I continue to be pleased with the increased focus and attention that Rugby Australia is giving to the women’s XV version of the game.

This has not always been the case. In 2017, I wrote an article criticising Rugby Australia and questioning whether they were committed to success in the women’s XV format.

When I wrote that article, the Australian Wallaroos (Australia’s women’s XV team) were in Ireland competing in the World Cup with their total preparation including one Tri-Nations tournament earlier that year and a team camp prior to departure.

Wallabies and Wallaroos in a Bledisloe double header

Published on: September 1, 2018 by Mary

This story was first written and published for The Roar.

My dad has tickets for the Bledisloe Cup tomorrow night at ANZ Stadium.

When he looked at the event information he noticed though that there wasn’t just one game of rugby happening, but two. He then called me to ask whether he should go to ANZ Stadium early to watch the Australian Wallaroos in their first game in a two-Test series against the Black Ferns.

My response to him was ‘absolutely’.

Women’s World Cups part of strategic bidding plan

Published on: July 27, 2018 by Mary

This article was first written and published for The Roar.

This week the New South Wales government signalled its intention to be a heavy hitter in the sporting event space over the next ten years with a strategic decision announced on Monday to bid for ten world cups in the next ten years.

When it comes to women’s sport, I always say it is important to celebrate how far we have come, while continuing to strive to be better because we still have a very long way to go.