Rugby Sevens Stars Charlotte Caslick and Lewis Holland Announce Pregnancy
Australian rugby sevens superstar Charlotte Caslick and her partner, former men's sevens captain Lewis Holland, have shared the exciting news that they are expecting their first child. This announcement comes after a challenging period for Caslick, who faced a broken ankle that hindered her participation in the 15-a-side Rugby World Cup last year.
A New Chapter Off the Field
Caslick, a Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallist, will not be seen in the green and gold jersey anytime soon, as pregnancy sets up a busy year away from competitive play. She announced the news on Instagram with a simple yet heartfelt message: "Mum and dad." The couple, who have been together since before their Olympic debuts at Rio 2016, shared a photo of themselves holding a positive pregnancy test, along with a bump picture and footage of Caslick revealing the news to her teammates.
Reactions from Teammates and Friends
The announcement sparked an outpouring of joy from fellow athletes. Maddison Levi commented, "Sobbinnggg, best news," while Teagan Levi added, "Yayayyaya so exciting." NRLW star Millie Elliott, who recently paused her career to have her first child, congratulated the couple, saying, "Congrats Charlotte!!!!!! So happy for you both." Emma Verran, another Olympic gold medalist and expectant mother, also sent her well-wishes: "The best news. Congrats you two!! So happy for you both."
Career Plans and Future Aspirations
Despite this personal milestone, Caslick has not ruled out a return to the sport. She aims to contend for gold at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, which could serve as her farewell to sevens rugby before a potential final shot at the 2029 Rugby World Cup on home soil. "I think it'll be a great place to end my career," Caslick remarked. Her career highlights include Commonwealth Games gold, a Sevens World Cup victory, and captaining Australia to the semi-finals at Paris 2024.
Overcoming Challenges Together
Caslick and Holland's journey has not been without obstacles. Their shared joy of competing together at the Rio Olympics was tempered when Holland suffered a hamstring injury on the first day of competition. Later that year, he faced a ruptured Achilles and missed multiple Commonwealth Games due to hamstring issues. However, he regained full fitness and joined Caslick in the Australian squad for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, showcasing their resilience as a couple and as athletes.
