Australia Sevens make co-captaincy call ahead of Ashby’s SVNS return

Australia Sevens have made a significant leadership announcement ahead of the 2025/26 HSBC SVNS Series opener, revealing Madison Ashby will return to the international sevens circuit as a co-captain of the powerhouse women’s side.

Ashby had a taste of the captaincy mere months out from the Paris Olympic Games, but suffered a season-ending ACL injury while leading the team in Singapore. The 24-year-old missed the entire campaign in 2024/25 but is set to return this season.

Rugby Australia announced last November that Isabella Nasser had taken over leadership duties from three-time Olympian Charlotte Caslick. Nasser will continue in the role alongside Ashby, co-captaining a side that harbours title-winning ambitions on the Series.

News.com.au published a story in 2014 that a 13-year-old Ashby was hoping to play sevens at the 2016 Rio Olympics. While Ashby didn’t represent Australia at those Games, the playmaker was selected to compete at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Ashby debuted for Australia on what’s now known as the SVNS Series as a teenager in 2019, and reached the 25-tournament mark last year. After missing an entire 2024/25 season, Ashby’s return is significant as the Australians look to defend their title in Dubai on November 29-30.

“It makes me extremely proud to be able to co-captain especially alongside Bella Nasser, who was amazing last season on her own,” Ashby said in a statement.

“Putting on an Australian jersey is something you should cherish every moment with, let alone being able to captain a team so I am very honoured.

“It’s one of the best experiences you can ever have on the sporting field. I’m still learning and the players will help me but very excited to see what is ahead.”

Australia Women’s coach Tim Walsh added:  “Madi entered the world stage at a very early age and has developed year on year.

“She has experienced the triumphs and disasters of professional sport.

“Throughout her career she has collected technical skills, experience and rugby wisdom beyond her years.

“Returning from a lengthy time on the sideline, Madi, with current co-captain Bella Nasser are poised to lead this team into the new era of Australian women’s rugby.”

Australia Sevens have announced that Ethan McFarland has joined the men’s program for the upcoming season. The Queenslander excelled in Queensland’s Hospital Cup and impressed during recent trails with the sevens side.

Rugby Australia announced the women’s and men’s squads earlier this month. It’s confirmed that Dally Bird, Matt Gonzalez, Sid Harvey, Connor Hickey, Henry Palmer and Hayden Sargeant had departed the men’s program.

“Ethan impressed the coaching staff after recently trialling with the squad,” Sevens National Performance Manager Scott Bowen explained.

“He brings a mix of speed and power and will complement the players around him throughout the upcoming season.”

Ashby and Nasser will lead the women’s side in pool matches against Japan, Canada and Great Britain at the Dubai Sevens. As for the men’s side, they’ve been pitted against rivals New Zealand, as well as giant-slayers Spain and Great Britain.

Dubai is the first stop of the 2025/26 season. Cape Town, Singapore, Perth, Vancouver and the USA will host other regular-season events before the new-look World Championships. The season finale events will be in Hong Kong China, Valladolid and Bordeaux.