Sevens superstar Charlotte Caslick is eyeing off a second gold medal in Paris after signing a long-term extension that will likely keep her in rugby union for life.
Caslick's four-year was announced on Monday, with the two-time World Rugby Player of the Year committing past the 2024 Olympics along with the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria.
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“I love the group of girls here that I play with and everything is in such a good place at the moment so I’m really excited to stay here,” Caslick told reporters.
“I’ll probably finish my career playing Rugby and that’s a pretty exciting place for me to be.
“Growing up I always wanted to be an Olympian and now to finish my career possibly saying I’ve been to three is pretty cool. I’d like to win another gold medal and for me, being one of the greatest Rugby players of all time is something I talk about that motivates me every day.”
The 27-year-old has been open about the disappointment of Tokyo in 2021, when the Olympic champions were stunned by Fiji in the quarter-finals, fuelling their Triple Crown drive.
“I always wanted to go to three Olympics..it’s most definitely been my goal," she explained.
“Tokyo was a real blunder on my career so I think for our group, there were some it was a little too late with COVID and others maybe a year too soon and we weren’t just in a good place in those key moments and games.
“I think we learnt so much and if anything, what we got out of Tokyo probably set us up for the season we had. There’s always a positive in everything.”
Coach Tim Walsh has been with Caslick throughout the journey, first coming across the former touch star at the Australian Olympic Youth Festival in 2013.
“(It’s a coup for) more than just the Women’s Sevens program...She is one of the greatest rugby players that Australia has ever produced and we are privileged to have her commit to another four years,” Walsh said on Caslick, who he has coined 'The Empress' of Sevens.
“It’s a long tenure so for her to commit is great for the game, especially what’s happening in Rugby over the next ten years.
“She has shaped contact sport I believe and a huge catalyst for changing perceptions and the growth of all the other codes.”
Whilst the prospect of moving to the 15-a-side game has been floated in the past, Caslick remains committed for the time being in Sevens.
“I think having a home Rugby World Cup is amazing for Australian Rugby, especially after the boys will be here in ’27," she responded when asked if the 2029 Women's World Cup was on the radar.
“I think growing Rugby is so important in Australia right now in the next 10 years. We have the Brisbane Olympics and a home Commonwealth Games (in Victoria) before that so there’s so much Rugby here in Australia so I’ll do everything I can to keep promoting Rugby and getting girls to sign up to be Sevens or Wallaroos girls.”
