Indigenous Rugby
The Australian Rugby Union supports initiatives to increase the exposure of Rugby to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Indigenous Rugby Programs
These programs are a joint initiative of the Australian Sports Commission Indigenous Sports Program, the ARU, the and four of our Member Unions (QRU, NSWRU, NTRU, Brumbies).
Indigenous Rugby Programs are for school students in targeted communities and schools around regional Australia. To participate, players must attend school and have the support of their school staff.
The Indigenous Rugby Program creates a pathway for young talented Indigenous players. Players within the program can be selected for regional U16's championships. In turn, teams are selected from these regional championships to compete in the National U16 Indigenous Championship held at the Gold Coast.
Players and schools should contact their local State Union for more details.
National Under 16 Indigenous Championship 2009
The Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team Inc. (LMRDT) hosted the National Under 16 Indigenous Championship in the Gold Coast 1-3 August 2009 with six teams participating.
Northern Qld 29 defeated Southern Qld in a thrilling Final.
For more infomation, click on the quick link on the right of this page.
National Indigenous Schoolboy Teams
Australian Under 16 and Under 18 Indigenous teams are brought together annually by the LMRDT for participation in our National Schoolboy Tournaments.
The ARU work in partnership with the LMRDT and Member Unions in selecting these teams. Players who participate in Indigenous Rugby Programs are available for selection, provided their state and territory representative teams do not require their services.
National Indigenous U16s Defend Title
Congratulations to the National Indigenous U16s for defending their title emphatically, at the October 2008 National U16s Championships. Along the way to winning the John Eales Shield for the fifth time in succession, they defeated Tasmania, Northern Territory and South Australia (in a thrilling Final match).
Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team Inc.
The Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team Inc. aim is to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth with a future through the game of rugby union.
The LMDRT work in partnership with the ARU in assembling Indigenous Rugby teams to the National U/16 Championships, the Australian Schools Division 2 Championships and the National Women's Championship each year.
For more information, contact Tom Evans - Executive Director LMRDT on (02) 8005 5607
