25 July 2017: Rugby sevens specialist and former Australian representative David Grimmond has been appointed head coach of the University of Canberra’s newly-formed women’s sevens team.
Grimmond will guide the University’s side through the inaugural Aon Uni 7s Series, which kicks off next month.
Grimmond has over 20 years’ experience in the shortened version of rugby, having represented the national side from 1994 through to 1997 before turning his attention to coaching.
He took the reins of the Brumbies rugby sevens program in 2011 and remains in charge of the highly successful initiative to this day.
In 2015, Grimmond spent time as coach of Australia’s women’s development team. He supervised the progress of several players who went on to play a part in the Pearls’ triumphant campaign at the Rio Olympics last year.
“The Aon Uni 7s Series is an exciting initiative and I’m thrilled to be leading the University of Canberra in its inaugural year,” Grimmond said.
“This is a huge step forward not just for rugby sevens in Canberra and the surrounding region, but for the sport altogether.
“We have a lot of talented players running around in our region and it’s great to see them receiving more opportunities to play sevens.”
Grimmond is hard at work finalising the squad that will contest the inaugural series.
He has received a boost in the form of Australian star Cassie Staples, who will join Sharni Williams as a marquee recruit at the University of Canberra.
The University was previously allocated Brooke Anderson, who has since been ruled out with injury.
With a host of talented local and Southern NSW players to choose from, Grimmond said he was spoilt for choice as he puts the finishing touches on a side he believes will challenge for the title.
“I’ve been really pleased with the progress the squad has made in a short period of time,” he said.
“We’ve got a mix of experienced players and women who are new to the sport. What the newcomers lack in experience they make up for in natural athletic ability and enthusiasm.
“The players have gelled well and together with our Australian representatives, I think the squad we will unveil in the coming weeks will be a formidable force.”
The University of Canberra is one of eight tertiary institutions selected to compete in the Aon Uni 7s Series.
At least half of the squad will be made up of women studying at the University of Canberra, furthering the University’s commitment to providing students with avenues in which to realise their sporting ambitions.
The competition is the first domestic Australian women’s sevens competition and has been designed to offer the best up-and-coming talent the opportunity to train and play in a high-performance environment.
The inaugural series will be contested over four tournaments from August to September.
Contact the University of Canberra media team:
Antony Perry: 0434 795 919
Claudia Doman: 0408 826 362