Following months of touring the country in the search for future First Nations Rugby talent, Rugby Australia’s High Performance staff have today announced two squads to compete in various national competitions.
The squads which contain 20 male and female First Nations players will assemble for three-day training camp from October 25–27 in Sydney.
Following the camp, the two squads will go on to compete in the Western Sydney 7’s and Hottest 7’s in Darwin, finishing out a monumental year competing at the Dubai International Invitational tournament, coinciding with Round 1 of the Men’s World Series and Round 2 of the Women’s World Series.
The two squads were selected following a three-day national talent camp at the Narrabeen Sports Centre in August, and boast players aged between 17 and 25, hailing from some of the country’s most remote locations including Thursday Island, Alice Springs and Goondiwindi.
#DreamBigTime Project Lead Jarred Hodges said: “It hasn’t been an easy task arriving at these two 20-strong squads because the talent on display at the camp in August exceeded all expectations.
“While there are only 40 players named here, we have extensive shadow squads who all have their bags packed and ready to jump into the program at a moment’s notice.
“From here, the squads will come together in preparation for the upcoming tournaments. But we will also be continuing the off-field education around health, social and emotional well-being, leadership and identity which is at the core of this program.
“This is a holistic program designed to not only provide access and opportunity for talented athletes but also to address a number of the social issues that impact our First Nations communities.”
FEMALE SQUAD:
Courtney Currie, Taree
Grace Kemp, Canberra
Breanna Raymond, Gold Coast
Leilanie Andrews, Taree
Renae Nona, Brisbane
Alahna Ryan, Dubbo
Lilly-Ann Mason, Forbes
Jana-Lee Conroy, Brewarrina
Kazzia Lammon, Brisbane
Tshinta Kendall, Gold Coast
Babetha Nona, Townsville
Nahlani Ah Kit, Townsville
Tallulah Mohammed, Ballina
Kobe Nona, Canberra
Illarrah Roberts, Ballina
Breanna Green, Port Macquarie
Hagiga Moseby, Thursday Island
Zara Johnson-Gamia, Bundaberg
Mackensie Hudson, Townsville
Kodi Wright, Normanton
MALE SQUAD:
Denzel Burns, Toowoomba
Rohan Armstrong, Alice Springs
Deon Evans-Ao, Penrith
David Armstrong, Goondiwindi
Bailey Collins, Sydney
Clynton Edwards, Bourke
Dylan McIachlan, Wagga Wagga
Tyrone Phillips, Sydney
Jayden Kitchener-Waters, Sydney
Hudson Berry, Sydney
Mark O'Dare, Sydney
Jordan Remfrey, Sydney
Albert Nona, Ipswich
Darren Caulton Jnr, Darwin
Tareq Parter, Townsville
Isiah Kawane, Townsville
Harley Lester, Sydney
Gage Phillips, Sydney
Tyson Fuller, Sydney
Danny Allende, Sydney
