The New Zealand Women's Rugby Sevens Team has been awarded the Lonsdale Cup the New Zealand Olympic's top award, following their Commonwealth Games gold medal success and victory in five world series tournaments.
The team was awarded the title at a gala dinner in Auckland tonight.
Their gold medal win on the Gold Coast was a highlight of the Commonwealth Games and with victory over hosts Australia and only came when Kelly Brazier ran 90-metres to score and win the match in in extra time.
Kelly Brazier sprinted 90 metres to score the winning try for the New Zealand women's sevens side at the Gold Coast Games. Photo: Photosport
The side has lost only one game this calendar year and is on a 39 match winning streak.
The chief executive of the NZOC Kereyn Smith says not only does the team excel on the field but the players groundbreakers for women's sport and role models Maori and Pasifika girls.
The Lonsdale Cup was first awarded in 1961 and past winners included Dame Valerie Adams, Lisa Carrington, Sir John Walker, Barbara Kendall, and Sir Peter Snell.
- RNZ