Australia Women's Sevens trio sign contract extensions targeting 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

Kaitlin Shave, Kahli Henwood and Amahli Hala have signed contract extensions with the Australia Women’s Sevens programme, committing all three players through to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The announcements come off the back of a World Championship-winning 2025/2026 season for the Australians.

Shave, a nominee for the 2025 HSBC SVNS Series Rookie of the Year award alongside Canada’s Carissa Norsten and Argentina’s Juana Stella, had been selected for the Paris Olympics before a knee injury ended her campaign. Henwood stepped in as replacement, making her SVNS Series debut at the Games themselves. Both players have now committed to chasing gold on home soil in Los Angeles.

Hala, a Queenslander from Coomera, has signed a two-year deal and will be targeting her first Olympic appearance. The former Australia U18s Girls Sevens player won the Global Youth Sevens in 2023 and has been steadily building her international profile since.

Director of Women’s High Performance Tim Walsh praised all three players in announcing the extensions. “Kaitlin returned from her knee injury and found some incredible form during the World Championship winning 2025/2026 season,” Walsh said. “Maturing into a world-class player with a powerful point of difference, Kaitlin has found a habit in scoring match-winning tries, none more memorable to beat New Zealand in Valladolid.”

On Hala, Walsh added: “Amahli is nearing the end of her international Sevens apprenticeship and is more than ready to stamp her authority on the world stage. A ruthless competitor, an engine always full of fuel and desire to be better makes her a valued Aussie Sevens rugby player.”

Henwood also drew strong words from the high-performance director. “The omnipresent Kahli is ever-reliable, composed and versatile. She drives standards, competes for everything and is authentic in every way.”

Shave, a former track sprinter, made her debut on the world sevens circuit at the Dubai Sevens and quickly established herself as one of the programme’s most dangerous attacking threats. With three years until the Los Angeles Games, all three players will be looking to cement their places in an Australian squad that arrives with genuine medal ambitions.