Rugby Sevens Champions Charlotte Caslick and Lewis Holland Announce Pregnancy Joy
Australian rugby sevens icons Charlotte Caslick and Lewis Holland have shared the wonderful news that they are expecting their first child together. The announcement was made on social media this past Saturday, prompting an outpouring of congratulations from some of the biggest names in Australian football and rugby.
Social Media Reveal and Sporting Community Reactions
Caslick, the Olympic gold medalist from the 2016 Rio Games, took to Instagram to share the happy development. She posted a photograph showing her holding a positive pregnancy test alongside her partner Holland, with the simple yet powerful caption 'Mum and dad'. The 30-year-old athlete also shared an image of her growing baby bump and a short video capturing the heartwarming moment she broke the news to her teammates.
The announcement immediately drew celebratory responses from across the sporting community. The Australian Olympic team, football star Bridget Hoy, AFLW player Lexi Hamilton, the Queensland Reds rugby union team, and Nine Network NRLW commentator Allana Ferguson all extended their congratulations. Fellow rugby stars Maddison Levi, Teagan Levi, Emma Verran, and Georgie Friedrichs joined in the comments section to share their excitement.
NRLW and Channel Nine personality Millie Boyle, who herself took time away from the game last year during her pregnancy, expressed particular joy. 'Congrats Charlotte!!!! So happy for you both,' she wrote enthusiastically in her message to the couple.
Illustrious Careers and Shared Olympic History
Charlotte Caslick, born in Brisbane, made her rugby sevens debut for Australia in 2013 and has since established herself as one of the nation's most decorated players. With 186 tries in 328 international appearances, she holds the record for most matches played for Australia in rugby sevens. Her accolades include being named Australia's rugby sevens player of the year in 2016, representing her country in touch football, briefly playing rugby league with two games for the Roosters in 2020, and winning gold at the Commonwealth Games.
Most recently, Caslick captained the Australian team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the squad experienced heartbreak as gold-medal favorites who ultimately lost the bronze medal playoff to the United States in a significant upset.
Lewis Holland has been a mainstay of the Australian men's rugby sevens team since 2011 and has also played Super Rugby for the Melbourne Rebels. The couple were already in a relationship when they both represented Australia at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, making their current pregnancy announcement particularly meaningful within their shared sporting journey.
Life Beyond Rugby and Future Ambitions
Beyond their athletic careers, Caslick and Holland have established a life together on a cattle property near Stanthorpe in Queensland, approximately 220 kilometers southwest of Brisbane. In a 2021 interview with the ABC, Holland revealed that his childhood dream was to work on a cattle station, quipping that he now 'play[s] footy in the spare time'.
The couple have developed plans for their highland cattle, which Holland affectionately calls their 'fluffy cows'. Caslick explained her intention to breed them for sale to hobby farmers or as pets, with aspirations to eventually operate an Airbnb where guests could interact with the animals.
On the sporting front, Caslick has been sidelined for the past six months with a fractured ankle, an injury that will prevent her from competing in the 2025 Rugby World Cup. However, she remains determined to continue her career, expressing clear ambitions for future competitions. 'I definitely want to still be around for the next Olympics,' she stated regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Games. She also mentioned targeting the 2029 Rugby World Cup, particularly as it will be hosted in Australia, suggesting it would be 'a great place to end my career'.
The pregnancy announcement marks an exciting new chapter for both athletes as they balance their professional sporting commitments with impending parenthood, supported by their extensive network within Australian football and rugby communities.
