Nicole Beck

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
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
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2008– Australia 8 40
Correct as of 24 December 2010
Medal record
Women's rugby sevens
Representing  Australia
Olympic Games
2016 Rio de JaneiroTeam competition
Pacific Games
2015 Port MoresbyTeam competition

Life

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
  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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