Shirley Russell (rugby union)

Russell made her test debut for Australia in 1995 against New Zealand in Auckland.^[1]

She was a flanker in the 1998 Wallaroos side that made their Rugby World Cup debut in the Netherlands.^[2][3] She played her final test against Spain at the tournament in Amsterdam.^[1] She won the first-ever Australian Women’s Player of the Year award.^[3] She was also part of the first Queensland women’s XV's team.^[3]

Russell was an assistant for the Wallaroos at the 2006 Rugby World Cup in Canada.^[3] She was also involved with Australia women's sevens team that won the inaugural 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament in Dubai.^[3]

Russell continues to give back to rugby with her coaching, under the banner of the Classic Wallabies and Classic Wallaroos.^[2] She is also a Vintage Reds board member.^[2]

Russell was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours for "significant service to rugby union as a player, coach and volunteer".^[4]