Maddison Levi, Mat Rogers and Teagan Levi
The Levi surname features twice on the Commonwealth Games Rugby 7s team list, with sisters Maddison and Teagan becoming the new faces of the hugely entertaining game.
The pair, who won the AON Women’s 7s Series for Bond University against Griffith University last year, had to keep their inclusion secret until today’s official squad announcement in Sydney.
Maddi, 20 explained they found out after training a few weeks ago when they each had a private meeting with their coach. Teagan, 18 saw him first.
“I was actually getting in the shower when Teagan came and knocked on the door,” said Maddi.
“She pulled out this big envelope and just burst into tears. I hadn’t found out if I had made the team yet, but my main focus was on her. She has worked so hard and for her to show the world how good she is, is truly amazing.”
Maddi has already experienced wearing the green and gold at a major international sporting event, when she made her Olympics debut in Tokyo last year.
“The Olympics was a massive experience within itself, and it was probably one of the best experiences of my life. But to now finally go to a Commonwealth Games with my sister, I think it’s just truly inspirational,” said Maddi.
The pair recently starred for Australia in the Oceania Rugby Sevens Championship in New Zealand, where they claimed silver behind the host country.
Teagan said playing together in the Commonwealth Games is the next step in their burgeoning careers.
“It’s a dream come true,” said Teagan.
“It’s only the start of our journey and to be named alongside my sister and some of my best friends in that team is awesome and I’m still in shock.”
The pair, who are managed by dual international Mat Rogers, could easily be preparing to play for the Gold Coast Suns in the upcoming AFLW season.
But the sisters have relinquished their Suns’ contracts to focus on their first love: rugby. Both credit their time with the Bond University Bull Sharks for laying the foundations for their success.
“I think in 2019 when I first cracked the AON I was 13th man and I was super stoked,” said Teagan.
“Seeing how hard all the girls trained definitely helped me crack the Aussie team. I think Bond is really good for anyone trying to crack Sevens.”
Maddi also agreed the university’s culture was pivotal to her development.
“When I first found out I was in the team I told family and friends, but I also couldn’t wait to tell all the people at Bond who have helped shaped our pathway because we couldn’t be the athletes we are today without them.”
Like all siblings, their relationship gets tested especially as they live together in Sydney.
“We have our hiccups, but we know when we need our alone time,” said Teagan.
“I do all the cooking and Maddi will sit by herself and that’s when we get our alone time.”
Maddi shared that it is like living with her mum.
“I get told off by her and I get told to do the laundry, so pretty much the same as at home.
Asked if they will be roomies over in Birmingham?
“Definitely not,” Maddi said with a laugh.
“On a lot of tours, we haven’t really been roomies but obviously being sisters, I always get asked by Teagan: what are you doing? Where are you going? Can I come? We do hang out a long together on trips, but it is good to have our separate time.”
The sister’s leave for the UK at the end of this month, matches begin in Birmingham on July 29.
New Zealand and Fiji loom as their biggest threats for a gold medal.