Sunshine Coast teens Aamira Renouf, Kanisha Green selected in Australian Indigenous rugby 7s side

Aamira Renouf and Kanisha Green have been selected in the Australian Indigenous national rugby 7s women’s side that will compete in Samoa next month.

Despite neither playing the sport regularly at club level, their skills and talent at the Australian Schoolgirls rugby 7s championships were too hard to ignore.

Renouf, who is the niece of former NRL star Steve Renouf and daughter of Queensland Cup jet Donald Malone, is signed to the Gold Coast Titans NRLW development squad while Green is working her way through the ranks of the Dolphins NRL Moreton Bay female development squad.

Renouf made headlines in 2024 after being selected in the Australian U16 Rugby 7s schoolgirls merit side and sharing her battle with Limbic Encephalitis.

After sending an Australia A men’s side to the tournament in 2024, the pair of 17-year-olds will be a part of the first female and Indigenous team to compete in the competition.

“I feel very honoured and proud to be in the first Indigenous women’s team and the only women’s team from Australia to go over,” Renouf said.

“It’s a lot of pressure but to play with and against women is a new experience.”

Renouf plays her local club footy for the Caloundra Sharks while Green represents the Coolum Colts.

Green has also been picked for the Queensland Indigenous 7’s squad in the upcoming Caslick Cup while Renouf is a part of the Queensland Reds Emerging Academy.

“Before playing rugby league I used to play soccer and I started playing rugby 7’s socially to keep fit in the soccer off season,” she said.

“I am really excited and feel really lucky to have been given this opportunity.

“Overall I am excited for the experience as I am looking forward to learning a new culture and meeting a lot more people.

“I feel a lot of pride as it is very special to represent my culture and I am also representing my family which I also take very seriously.”

The girls would be joined in the squad by Keebra Park rising star Tahlia Anderson.

“I was very excited when I heard my two sista’s Kanisha and Tahlia were coming too, so I get to play and embrace this moment with them,” Renouf said.

“I am looking forward to the competition too and to play against the talent there, playing against women in 7’s is going to be new for me as I am still only 17.

“I love who I am so to be able to put that Indigenous jersey on and represent my people and this country makes it all that special.”

Originally published as Sunshine Coast teens Aamira Renouf, Kanisha Green selected in Australian Indigenous rugby 7s side