The 12 players who will be representing Great Britain in the rugby sevens competition at the upcoming Paris Olympic Games have been officially announced. Of particular interest are the selections of England’s Ellie Kildunne and Megan Jones, who will be competing as part of the female athletes contingent.
Kildunne, aged 24, excelled as the top try-scorer in the recent Women’s Six Nations tournament, a notable achievement that undoubtedly contributed to her inclusion in the Olympic squad. Meanwhile, her fellow teammate Megan Jones played a crucial role in the Red Roses’ successful campaign in the Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam.
In a significant moment for British rugby, Wales’ Jasmine Joyce has secured her place in the squad, marking her as the first UK player to make appearances at three separate Olympic Games. Her extensive experience and skill set are expected to be valuable assets for the Team GB rugby sevens team.
Regrettably, regular captain Abbie Brown will be unable to join the squad due to an injury, despite her efforts to participate in her third consecutive Olympics. However, the team is strengthened by the inclusion of Emma Uren and Jones, who will both be making their second Olympic appearances.
The strength of the squad is further evidenced by the selection of Amy Wilson Hardy, Ellie Boatman, Grace Crompton, Heather Cowell, Isla Norman-Bell, Jade Shekells, Lisa Thomson, and Lauren Torley, all of whom have made significant contributions to international rugby for England.
Head coach Ciaran Beattie expressed that finalizing the squad members was a challenging task due to the wealth of talent in the selection pool. Nevertheless, he remains confident in the team’s ability to compete in Paris and approach each match with a winning mindset, while also acknowledging the quality of the opposing teams.
Following their qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics after winning gold at the European Games last June, the Team GB women’s sevens squad is eager to make their mark on the international stage. The women’s sevens event at the Olympics is scheduled to commence on 28 July.
As the anticipation for the Paris Olympics continues to build, all eyes will be on the GB men’s team, who are set to compete in the Olympic repechage tournament in Monaco this weekend with the aim of qualifying for the Games.
The confirmed squad for the Team GB Sevens includes: Amy Wilson Hardy, Ellie Boatman, Ellie Kildunne, Emma Uren, Grace Crompton, Heather Cowell, Isla Norman-Bell, Jade Shekells, Jasmine Joyce, Lauren Torley, Lisa Thomson, and Megan Jones. Additionally, Abi Burton and Kayleigh Powell have been named as the reserves.
The unveiling of the Team GB rugby sevens squad for the Paris Olympics marks a significant milestone for these talented athletes, and fans of the sport eagerly anticipate their performances on the world stage.