Australian record-breaker Maddison Levi thanks Hong Kong Sevens for giving women a stage
Having become her country’s all-time top try-scorer during the tournament, Levi thanks those who opened doors for her
Australia star Maddison Levi has hailed the contribution that the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens has helped to make in giving women opportunities to play high-profile matches in front of thousands of spectators.
Levi became Australia’s highest career try-scorer on Friday at the age of just 22 when she crossed four times against Canada, following a hat-trick against Spain, to take her total to 189. She added two more on Saturday.
Having surpassed the previous record of 186 held by her idol, Charlotte Caslick, Levi was grateful for the progress made by women players before her – and the tournaments that gave them a platform.
“Charlie’s been my mentor for so many years,” Levi said. “She’s taught me the ins and outs of this game, so to be able to be on par with her with records is pretty awesome – I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the girls beside me.
“From where they started to where it is now, they’ve all had to pave the way for us, and we’re continuing to pave the way and grow women’s sport in general, and sevens.
“To have stand-alone finals at the end of the tournaments, and for the thousands of people to still be there supporting us, just shows how much the women’s game has grown, especially in sevens.”
