HIS selection into a national indigenous sevens side may have taken Leon Kelly by surprise, but The Armidale School Year 10 student said he is ready for an opportunity he will never forget.
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At the Lloyd McDermott Development Camp held at TAS on October 20-21, Leon, a boarding student from Coffs Harbour, was one of 12 boys selected for the national Lloyd McDermott under 17s sevens team which will take on the fastest juniors in the country at the 2018 National Youth Championships in Brisbane on December 5-9.
Around 45 young boys and girls attended the camp, where they were mentored by former Wallaby Gary Ella.
“I was so excited when my aunty texted me - I knew I’d have to step up, this is a big achievement for me and a great opportunity to become a better person as well as a better rugby player,” Leon said.
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Kelly, who last year played half back with the TAS 16As, says he prefers the Sevens format of the game, though it does have its challenges.
“It’s quite a bit harder, you have to keep moving around but I prefer that and like having more space to run and not have to stop so much,” he said.
The team, which also includes boys from Brisbane, Darwin and southern NSW, will have their first training session on 1 December in Brisbane, prior to the tournament.
“It will also be great to help balance my health, my fitness and focus ahead of next season or TAS,” said Leon, whose time at TAS has been assisted by the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation.
Lloyd McDermott was the second Aboriginal person to represent his country in rugby union and was also Australia’s first Indigenous barrister.
Set up by his Lloyd McDermott Sports Foundation with the Australian Sports Foundation, the Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team works with young people to achieve their dreams through development camps, educational scholarships and mentoring.