ACT sevens coach Dave Grimmond hasn't ruled out recruiting Super Rugby players to boost his team's chances of winning a national title next year with a chance to chase Olympic Games gold looming as a massive lure.
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Grimmond also believes former Australian women's star Kristy Giteau could still force her way into Australia's Olympic squad in 2016 despite playing limited rugby since giving birth to her first child two years ago.
Canberra rugby officials will host a search for a sevens star trial for players aged 15-18 on Sunday in the hope of uncovering future Olympians.
They have also set up a Canberra club sevens competition to be played from October 31 at the University of Canberra to identify a squad for the national tournament next year.
Grimmond revealed ACT Brumbies star Robbie Coleman was on the radar for the ACT side, but his Super Rugby duties are likely to clash with the sevens events.
Coleman won a silver medal in rugby sevens at the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and has admitted he could be enticed back to the sport for a chance to play at an Olympics.
"[Coleman's] certainly in the back of our minds, but we're going to have to wait a week before the tournament before we know if he's available," Grimmond said.
"Some of the [Canberra Vikings] NRC guys could be options as well. The changeover to sevens is hard, but [Coleman] is still classy enough to play."
Grimmond will oversee the sevens programs. Giteau will coach the women's side and former Tuggeranong Vikings halfback and MacDougall Medal winner Beau Mokotupu will lead the men's team.
Giteau, the sister of 92-Test Wallaby Matt Giteau, contemplated permanent retirement from the sport when she gave birth, despite being a regular part of the Australian sevens and the Australian Wallaroos sides.
"Kristi is a chance, she still out runs most of the girls out here now," Grimmond said. "She left a big hole and if we could get her back, it would be fantastic. She just gives you sheer speed ... she's good enough."
Australian rugby has been struggling to keep fans with dwindling crowd numbers and profits threatening to affect the sport's following. Mokotupu said sevens could help rescue rugby from its decline.
Canberra duo Tom Cusack and Lewis Holland are part of the Australian sevens side, which plays on the world circuit and are considered strong chances to play at the Rio Olympics.
"The Olympics is the biggest carrot you can dangle," Mokotupu said. "We just want sevens more prominent in Canberra ... if you go well enough here and then at the tournament, the Australian selectors will be there and you've got a chance."
SEARCH FOR A SEVENS STAR
Sunday: ACT rugby sevens trials for players aged 15-18 at University of Canberra, 2-4pm
