The first tournament in the Inaugural Aon Women’s Uni 7s Series has closed, with University of Queensland crowned champs. UQ claimed a victory of 15-5 over Bond University in the final.

University of Canberra claimed sixth position on the day, falling behind University of New England 20-12 in a fifth place playoff.

Eight tertiary institutions were selected to compete in the series. The four tournaments of this inaugural series will be contested over five weeks in August and September.

“The Aon Uni 7s Series is an exciting initiative and I’m thrilled to be leading the University of Canberra in its inaugural year,” said University of Canberra women’s rugby sevens coach David Grimmond. 

The UC team is captained by Brumbies sevens player Ash Kara, alongside Australian Pearls’ representative Cassie Staples and a host of local stars as the University of Canberra looks to make its mark on the national stage.

Coach Grimmond said the UC side “oozes experience and talent. Most of the women boast extensive sevens experience as well as having spent considerable time around the 15-a-side game.”

“We have a wider training squad of 22 women and competition for a place in the Launceston squad was tough. The girls have been training really well and there was a lot of hunger there to make the final 12.”

Qantas Australian Women’s Sevens Head Coach, Tim Walsh said the competition represents “the next opportunity for Women’s Rugby in this country”.

“To have this competition provide more High-Performance opportunities to players, hopefully we will see more young female athletes wanting to make the switch to Rugby in the coming years.

“I know the Universities have been preparing really well and I can’t wait to see how the competition plays out over the coming weeks.”