Nicole Elise Beck OAM (born 28 May 1988) is a female Australian rugby union player who plays as a wing for Australia, Sydney and Sydney University. She won a gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.

Nicole Beck
Beck takes an impact from Non Evans
Birth nameNicole Elise Beck OAM
Date of birth (1988-05-28) 28 May 1988 (age 36)
Place of birthBulli, New South Wales, Australia
Height1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Weight66 kg (10 st 6 lb; 146 lb)
SchoolBulli High School
UniversityUniversity of Wollongong
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2008–2009
2010–
Warringah
Sydney University
2
?
0
?
Correct as of 24 December 2010
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009– Sydney 6 45
Correct as of 24 December 2010
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2008– Australia 8 40
Correct as of 24 December 2010
Medal record
Women's rugby sevens
Representing  Australia
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2016 Rio de Janeiro Team competition
Pacific Games
Silver medal – second place 2015 Port Moresby Team competition

Life

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A former Australian touch football representative, Beck was selected by Wallaroos coach Steve Hamson after just two games of 15-a-side rugby and made her international debut in the test match lost 36–3 to the Black Ferns on 14 October 2008 at Viking Park in Canberra.[1] Only a few months before, Beck had been chosen to play with Australia Women's Sevens for the 2009 World Cup qualifiers scheduled on 25–26 July 2008 at Apia Park in Samoa.[2] She scored a decisive try on full-time in the 22–15 win against New Zealand, claiming the Oceania Sevens champions title.[3]

The following year, Australia won the Rugby World Cup Sevens defeating 15-10 New Zealand in a final started with a try by Beck in the second minute and ended in extra-time with a golden point strike by Shelly Matcham.[4]

Beck played an important role in Australia's third place at the 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup, scoring 1 try, 11 conversions and 1 penalty, becoming one of the nominees for the 2010 IRB Women's Personality of the Year[5] and pulling off a great try-saving tackle on Fiona Pocock during the semi-final against England.[6] She was a member of Australia's team at the 2016 Olympics, defeating New Zealand in the final to win the inaugural Olympic gold medal in the sport.[7][8][9][10][11][12][13]

Beck currently studies a Bachelor of Educational Studies at Charles Sturt University.[14]

At the 2017 Australia Day Honours she received the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to sport as a gold medallist at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.[15]

References

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  1. ^ Jon Geddes (14 October 2008). "From touch footy to test match rugby". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  2. ^ "Australian Women's Sevens squad named for World Cup qualifiers". 7 July 2008. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  3. ^ "Australian Women win Oceania Sevens". 28 July 2008. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  4. ^ "Australia creates Sevens history in winning Women's World Cup title". 8 March 2009. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  5. ^ "Women's POY nominees". 4 September 2010. Archived from the original on 6 September 2010. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  6. ^ "Incredible try saving tackle by Australia's Nicole Beck at the WRWC". 2 September 2010. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  7. ^ "Australia wins gold in women's rugby sevens". Sky News. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  8. ^ Newman, Beth (14 July 2016). "Rio Olympics: Australian Sevens teams announced". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  9. ^ "Rio Olympics: Australia's men's and women's sevens squads unveiled". foxsports.com.au. 14 July 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  10. ^ "Rio 2016: Olympic squads named by Australia for rugby sevens debut at Games". ABC.net.au. 14 July 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  11. ^ "Australia's Olympic Sevens squads announced". Rugby News.net.au. 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  12. ^ "Australia name a mix of veterans, young guns for men's, women's Olympic sevens squads". ESPN.com.au. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  13. ^ "Key players return as Australia name Olympic sevens squads". worldrugby.org. 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  14. ^ "CSU Olympic Athletes – Nicole Beck". 9 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  15. ^ "Nicole Elise Beck OAM". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
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