Amidst swirling rumors of an imminent code switch, Australian rugby sevens superstar Maddison Levi has emphatically shut down speculation linking her to the NRLW. The 22-year-old winger, fresh off a stellar season that saw her top the try-scoring charts in the World Sevens Series, reaffirmed her commitment to rugby and her burning ambition to leave an indelible mark on the sport.
Reports had emerged mere hours before Levi claimed the prestigious Women’s Sevens Player of the Year award, suggesting that she and her sister, Tegan, were seeking an early release from their Rugby Australia contracts to pursue a 13-week stint in the NRLW. However, the electrifying athlete wasted no time in setting the record straight.
NRLW was definitely on the sights in a couple of years’ time or whenever that time is, but right now I’m obviously signed till 2026 and we haven’t won a gold medal with the Olympics yet, so I’m definitely not stepping away from this sport.
Maddison Levi
Unfinished Business in Rugby
While acknowledging the allure of new challenges, Levi made it abundantly clear that her heart remains firmly entrenched in rugby. The explosive winger, renowned for her blistering pace and uncanny ability to find the try line, emphasized the unfinished business she has in the seven-a-side format.
Chief among her goals is the elusive Olympic gold medal, a prize that has thus far eluded the prodigiously talented Australian squad. With Paris 2024 looming large on the horizon, Levi’s laser focus on rectifying the heartbreak of Tokyo is unwavering.
Whenever that time is, I’m definitely open to other doors, having played AFLW and hopefully NRLW. But I really want to take home that medal and leave a legacy.
Maddison Levi
Fifteens Ambitions and Dual International Dreams
Levi’s rugby ambitions extend beyond the truncated format, with the speedster also expressing a keen interest in representing the Wallaroos, Australia’s national women’s fifteens side. The prospect of becoming a dual international is a tantalizing one for Levi, who sees the growth of women’s rugby as a driving force behind her aspirations.
I think a dual international is something pretty special, and I think they’ve only just recently had chats about us sevens girls [joining], but I’ve also never played a game of fifteens in my life, so who knows how I go? I might not even make the team with Maya Stewart out there carving up.
Maddison Levi
The upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup, slated for 2025, presents a tantalizing opportunity for Levi to showcase her talents on the grandest stage in fifteens rugby. With the full backing of Australian sevens coach Tim Walsh, who recognizes the value of cross-code pollination, Levi’s dream of emulating the success of global superstars who have seamlessly transitioned between the two formats seems more achievable than ever.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Beyond personal accolades and team triumphs, Levi’s driving force is the desire to inspire the next generation of female athletes. Acutely aware of the trailblazing role she inhabits, the humble star sees her success as a platform to encourage young girls to dream big and chase their sporting ambitions.
I think I’d love to rise up to that challenge [of being the face of Australian women’s rugby]. And as I said I want to leave a legacy within sport and just the ability to have the next generation to have someone to look up to.
Maddison Levi
Levi’s impact transcends national boundaries, with aspiring ruggers from across the globe drawing inspiration from her electrifying performances and infectious love for the game. In an era where women’s sport is experiencing unprecedented growth and recognition, figures like Maddison Levi serve as beacons of possibility, inspiring girls to pick up a rugby ball and chase their dreams with unbridled passion.
The Road Ahead
As the rugby world eagerly awaits the upcoming World Series, all eyes will be on Maddison Levi to see if she can maintain her scintillating form and spearhead Australia’s charge for sevens supremacy. With the Paris Olympics and the Women’s Rugby World Cup on the horizon, Levi’s unwavering commitment to her rugby journey promises to yield a treasure trove of thrills, triumphs, and indelible memories.
While the siren song of the NRLW may beckon in the future, for now, Maddison Levi’s heart beats true to the rhythm of rugby. With an insatiable hunger for success and a burning desire to etch her name in the annals of sporting history, this rugby sevens sensation is poised to scale even greater heights and inspire a generation of dreamers along the way.
