Australian schools rugby championships: Lailani Montgomery making history

When they say sport runs through the veins of this teenager competing at the Australian Schools rugby championships this week they are not kidding.

Lailani Montgomery playing a recent trial match for CCC at Eric Tweedale Oval. Pic: John Appleyard

Lailani Montgomery hails from one of Australia’s most extraordinary sporting families.

Both parents Celeste and Damien play OzTag for Australia, she and her sister Sienna Mae have also made national sides in the sport and the entire family will play at an international event later this year.

But first the 17-year-old from the NSW Central Coast is preparing to create a little bit of history at the Australian schools rugby championships in Sydney this week.

DAY ONE WRAP AND PHOTO SPECIAL

Lailani Montgomery comes form a sporting family. Pic: Supplied.

For the first time girls Sevens rugby will be played at the event which is being held at Knox and finishes on Saturday.

“One hundred per cent this means something to us,’’ said St Peter’s Catholic College student Montgomery who lives at Glenning Valley.

“It’s cool. Really cool.

“It’s a blessing to be part of this and I feel very honoured.’’

Sport is in Lailani Montgomery’s blood. Pic: Supplied.

Montgomery, who also enjoys learning about her Kamilaroi culture, said she and her teammates had been unaware they would be among the first girls to play at the tournament until the coach of the NSW I team told them in a Zoom meeting.

Like many of her NSW teammates, Montgomery has aspirations of representing Australia in Sevens rugby at the Olympic level.

“I loved watching it in Tokyo. I watch it every time I can. Each time you see different parts of the game that work and learn something new,’’ she said.

The girls competition at the Australian Schools rugby tournament begins on Thursday and runs throung until Saturday.

Lailani Montgomery in a recent trial match.

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NSWSRU 1 OPEN SCHOOL TEAM

Sophia Addington Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus, Edie Burke Barker College, Ella Carlie Central Coast Sports College, Anaia Cruickshank Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus, Milla Elaro Westfields Sports High School, Georgia Grey Monte Sant Angelo Mercy College, North Sydney, Martha Harvey Narrabri High School, Ella Koster Illawarra Sports High School, Lailani Montgomery St Peter’s Catholic College, Tuggerah, Aliyah Nasio Kingswood High School, Ruby Nicholas Pymble Ladies College, Charlie Norton Hunter Sports High School, Shaye Shipton Bulli High School, Piper Simons Stella Maris College, Manly.