The Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team is the only
Indigenous organisation that is recognised as the peak body for Indigenous
participation in rugby union by the Australian Rugby Union and all affiliates.
This is evidenced by the Team’s
participation in the ARU National Championships in a range of age groups and
sexes.
The Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team provides
educational opportunities for participants from regional and remote communities
by assisting them to undertake educational scholarships at a number of private
schools within Sydney
and Regional areas. Students also participate in leadership courses.
Some notable players from the Redfern area who have
participated in the Lloyd McDermott programs are:
- Brendan
Williams – Randwick Rugby – ACT Brumbies, NSW Waratahs, Australian U19’s, U21’s
7’s and now playing for
Bennetton in Italy - Willy
Gordon – Randwick Rugby
– ACT Brumbies, Australian Schoolboy’s
U19’s, U21’s 7’s. - Nathan
Merritt – played for Cronulla and recently returned to the Rabbitohs.
Since 1995, the Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team has
been heavily involved with the youth of Redfern/Waterloo and the Alexandria Park Community
High School.
Lloyd McDermott Rugby
Development Team expects to bring a minimum of 500 participants to the Centre
on a yearly basis.
This Fact Sheet was
part of the Media Kit at the Media Conference on 11 July 2006 to announce the
ILC would proceed to purchase the former Redfern Public School site and
establish a National Indigenous Development Centre.