Kennewell calls time on career after 'picture-perfect' World Championship victory

Demi Kennewell (née Hayes) has officially confirmed her retirement after a highly successful 10-year career in the Aussie Women’s Sevens, bowing out as a world champion.

Among Kennewell’s many achievements include 13 HSBC SVNS Series titles, a Commonwealth Games gold medal, a Rugby Sevens World Cup gold medal and featuring as part of the 2026 side that won the HSBC SVNS World Championship earlier this year.

Originally from Mount Isa, Kennewell joined the Australian Youth Sevens in 2015, debuting in the programme in 2016 at the Canada Sevens, where she played her first match against Brazil.

While she didn’t make the squad that would go on to win gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Kennewell would go on to be selected for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, with the Aussies bowing out in the quarter-finals.

Across her decorated Series career, Kennewell was selected in 33 tournaments for the Aussie sevens, played 166 matches and scored 38 tries.

A season-ending knee injury saw Kennewell miss out on qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics, but while she made a successful return to be part of the side that won the Dubai Sevens in 2024, a second ACL injury saw her miss out on much of the 2025 season.

She however returned after seven months on the sidelines at the 2026 Vancouver Sevens, forming a critical part of the sides that would defeat New Zealand at the Valladolid SVNS and Bordeaux SVNS to win the HSBC SVNS World Championship title.

Australia’s outgoing sevens coach Tim Walsh, who had recently been unveiled earlier in the week as Rugby Australia’s new Director of Women’s High Performance, singled out Kennewell for praise over her successful career.

“Demi embodies the essence of an Australian Women’s Sevens player and it’s been a privilege to work and grow with an athlete and person of her calibre,” Walsh said in a statement.

“When Demi arrived as a teenager in 2015 we went skydiving as a team activity and threw her out of a plane and she has been grounded ever since.

“She’s entered the programme as a young girl and is exiting as a strong, resilient, successful and tough woman.

“Incredibly we won 13 tournaments in her 33 caps, an incredible win-ratio of 38 per cent when she played, showing just how much of an impact she’s had on the programme.”

“Winning the World Championship a fortnight ago was the picture-perfect finish for me,” Kennewell added.

“I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better end with the girls, the wider squad and everyone who has been involved in my career.

“I’ve experienced the highs and lows of professional sport, from winning titles to injuries and non-selection, but overall I feel so incredibly grateful to have been involved with what this programme has created, the memories and experiences shared and the opportunity it provides.

“I’d love to thank everyone who has supported me along the way, from my parents who backed me as a seven-year-old to sign up to a boy’s footy team, to my husband, coaches, support staff, teammates, friends and supporters who have always cheered us on. I couldn’t have done it without you all.”