The 21-year-old Rugby 7s player smashed plenty of goals in 2016 as a result of her passion, focus and commitment to the sport.

Darcie’s mother, Anita Morrison, accepted the trophy on her behalf at the 2016 SOYA event on Saturday night.

“She’s been after this trophy since she was about 10. She feels that it is a great honor to be recognised,” Anita said.

In 2016, Darcie was invited back to continue on with the NSW Rugby 7’s Development Program.

The recent Charles Sturt University graduate captained the CSU Rugby 7’s team at the Australian University Games in Perth. The team went undefeated with back to back wins, winning the gold medal. Darcie scored all but two of the tries over the two days of competition and was named Players Player for the tournament.

As part of the Australian University Team, Darcie travelled to Wales in July last year where she scored five tries during the competition and was awarded players player.

Darcie’s CSU representative commitments led her to receive a CSU Major Sporting Blue Award. 

Adding to her list of achievements in 2016, Darcie was invited to play with one of two Australian teams at the Central Coast 7’s in October 2016 and was runners up to the other Australian side.

She played for NSW in the 2016 National Championships and was runners up to Queensland. Darcie was named 2016 Blue Belle – NSW Rugby 7’s player of the year.

Part of the Australian Development team, she helped win the women’s crown at the Darwin 7’s in January. She also played an invitational game with Australian Development team against Ireland in Sydney in January. 

She brought home a silver medal with the Australian Development Team in Japan last month. 

More on the other honours from the Sportsperson of the Year Awards in Friday’s Advocate.