The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) have announced 24 athletes to the Australian Olympic team for Tokyo for Rugby 7s, featuring nine Commonwealth Games Australia alumni members.

Gold Coast 2018 silver medallists Sharni Williams, Shannon Parry, Charlotte Caslick, Dominique du Toit, Demi Hayes, Evania Pelite and Emma Tonegato will feature in the Australian women’s Olympic team which is looking to defend its Rio 2016 gold medal.

Williams and Parry will serve as co-captains for the side, that features five Olympic debutants in the squad of 12.

Commonwealth Games Australia alumni Lachlan Anderson and Maurice Longbottom, a member of the Dharawal nation, will don the green and gold for the men’s side in Tokyo, led by men’s captain Nick Malouf.

An exciting changing of the guard, the men’s side will feature 10 Olympic debutants who will be hoping to capture a spot on the podium.

The women’s team has an average age of 24, with Australian Head Coach John Manenti balancing both experience and youth as the team looks to defend their gold medal status.

Australian Women’s 7s co-captain Sharni Williams said her second Olympic Games still felt as special as her debut.

“It’s amazing to be here five years after Rio, never did I think I would get an opportunity to represent my country, let alone at a second Olympics,” Williams said.

“How we play is a representation of more than just the selected players, we have an entire Aussie 7s family back home who have sacrificed so much to get us here, the unknown has been hard to navigate but we now have the Olympics firmly in our sights.”

The women’s team have been drawn against USA, China and hosts Japan, whilst the men will face off against New Zealand, Argentina and Republic of Korea in their pool.

Chef de Mission of the Australian Olympic Team Ian Chesterman welcomed the athletes to the Australian Olympic Team.

“It is fantastic to announce these 24 athletes to the Australian Olympic Team for Tokyo,” Mr Chesterman said.

“Rugby 7s debuted in 2016 and that historic women’s gold is one of the standout memories from Rio and we are thrilled to have such strong squads named for Tokyo.”

“COVID and the postponement has made this a tough campaign, and their selection is testament to the extraordinary determination of these athletes to be at their best and to represent their country despite those difficulties.

“Thank you to Rugby Australia for developing a great sevens program and helping take athletes from their first game of rugby to competing on the world’s biggest sporting stage and to the players’ families, friends, teammates and supporters who have been their every step of the way.”

The men’s Rugby 7s competition will be conducted on 26-28 July and the women’s competition from 29-31 July at the Tokyo Stadium.

Women’s Rugby 7s Olympic Team

Men’s Olympic Rugby 7s Team

With thanks Australian Olympic Committee and Rugby Australia.