Nicole Beck Explained

Nicole Elise Beck (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.

Career

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]}

Personal life

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]

External links

• Wallaroos Profile

Notes and References

1. Web site: From touch footy to test match rugby . Jon Geddes . The Daily Telegraph . 14 October 2008 . 23 December 2010.
2. Web site: Australian Women's Sevens squad named for World Cup qualifiers . 7 July 2008 . 24 December 2010.
3. Web site: Australian Women win Oceania Sevens . 28 July 2008 . 24 December 2010.
4. Web site: Australia creates Sevens history in winning Women's World Cup title . 8 March 2009 . 24 December 2010.
5. Web site: Women's POY nominees . 4 September 2010 . 24 December 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100906093816/http://www.rwcwomens.com/home/news/newsid=2040208.html . 6 September 2010 . dead .
6. Web site: Incredible try saving tackle by Australia's Nicole Beck at the WRWC . 2 September 2010 . 24 December 2010.
7. Web site: Australia wins gold in women's rugby sevens . Sky News . 9 August 2016 . 9 August 2016.
8. Web site: Rio Olympics: Australian Sevens teams announced . Newman . Beth . 14 July 2016 . www.rugby.com.au . 2016-09-14.
9. Web site: Rio Olympics: Australia's men's and women's sevens squads unveiled . 2016-07-14 . foxsports.com.au . en-GB . 2016-09-14.
10. Web site: Rio 2016: Olympic squads named by Australia for rugby sevens debut at Games . 2016-07-14 . ABC.net.au . en-AU . 2016-09-14.
11. Web site: Australia's Olympic Sevens squads announced . 2016 . Rugby News.net.au . 2016-09-14.
12. Web site: Australia name a mix of veterans, young guns for men's, women's Olympic sevens squads . 15 July 2016 . ESPN.com.au . 2016-09-14.
13. Web site: Key players return as Australia name Olympic sevens squads . 2016 . worldrugby.org . en-gb . 2016-09-14.
14. Web site: CSU Olympic Athletes – Nicole Beck . 9 August 2016 . 9 August 2016.
15. Web site: Nicole Elise Beck OAM . . 28 January 2017.