EXPECTATIONS for 2017 are growing at Casuarina Beach Rugby Club, with it now looking at launching a senior women's team to play alongside its new senior men's.

It was announced earlier this year the club was embarking on a bid to field a men's side for the first time.

Now, the club wants to play a women's sevens side in a Gold Coast competition to launch in February.

The announcement came at an opportune time with Australian women's sevens gold-medal-winning co-captain Shannon Parry visiting the Casuarina club this week to hold a clinic with juniors.

President Brian Laybutt said the club would look to draw on growing interest in rugby from women and create an inclusive environment.

"We have a junior club," Laybutt said

"We have girls playing there, but we're trying to launch a men's senior team next year and we want to have a women's senior team, too," he daid.

"We want to promote rugby to both men and women at a senior and junior level, that's our goal."

Parry, who is one of the country's few women rugby professionals, understands the opportunities there are for women in sport.

In town visiting her parents, Parry made time to hold the clinic and show off the golden bling she collected in Rio.

She said women should take their chance to become involved because it could sometimes lead to bigger and better things.

"To be honest, rugby has changed my life," she said.

"I think if I hadn't gone down to those first two training sessions or been introduced to two Wallaroo ladies, who are now really good mates, I probably wouldn't be in the position

I am: travelling the world and playing footy as a lifestyle."

Parry was once a teacher. "I don't teach any more," she said. "I just travel and play rugby; so it's honestly a dream come true and it's been a very enjoyable ride since it started day one in 2008."