World School Sevens rugby gun Milla Elaro on mission to inspire players from Sydney’s west

She’s a young gun from Sydney’s west who thought 2022 would be a write off after shoulder surgery. She couldn’t have been more wrong.

Rugby Sevens young guns Milla Elaro and Piper Simons. Pic: Supplied

Nine months out of the game recovering from a shoulder reconstruction had Milla Elaro thinking 2022 was going to be a bit of a write off.

Instead it has seen her make her debut for Australia A at the invitational international event played alongside the Dubai World Sevens Series and now selected in an Australian youth team to compete at the world school sevens rugby tournament in Auckland this weekend.

The 17-year-old has just graduated from Westfield Sports High at Fairfield and lives in Old Toongabbie.

She is hoping her success in the game will inspire other girls from Sydney‘s west to have a go in rugby.

“There is a lot of talent out west,’’ Elaro said.

Rugby Sevens young guns Milla Elaro and Piper Simons in Dubai. Pic: Supplied

“It’s nice to be making these teams and showing younger girls there is opportunity for them if they’re from Sydney‘s west.’’

Elaro was sidelined for an extended period earlier this year after dislocating her shoulder in a tackle.

When it continued to dislocate she was forced to undergo a reconstruction and nine months rehab.

"That wasn’t fun. I thought my year was over for sure,’’ she said.

“That’s why it’s been so exciting to make these teams.’’

Young Rugby Sevens star Milla Elaro . Pic: Supplied

The Northwest Bulls and Blacktown Scorpions Junior heads to New Zealand fresh off her debut against the Czech Republic in Dubai and with the invaluable experience of travelling with an Australia A side.

“It was a really good experience learning from the older girls and how they prepared and did things,” said Elaro, who has dabbled in rugby league – her younger brother Charlie is in the Parramatta Eels system – but prefers Sevens.

“I played one season of rugby league but I just like this better. I like the space to do stuff.

“This Aussie team (in New Zealand) have won it for a number of years and we don’t want to be the ones to break that streak.

“The pressure is on but we can’t wait.’’

The team in New Zealand is being coached by rugby legends Shannon Parry.

AUSTRALIAN YOUTH TEAM AT WORLD SCHOOLS SEVENS IN AUCKLAND

Amahli Hala - Bond University - Kings College, Anaia Cruickshank - Manly Marlins - McKellar Girls Campus, Ava Wereta - Bond University - Kings College, Betty Koula - Manly Marlins - Our Ladies Sacred Heart, Edie Burke - Manly Marlins - Barker College, Ella Carlisle - Manly Marlins - Central Coast Sports College, Georgia Grey- Manly Marlins - Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College, Ivana Lolesio - Easts Rugby Union Club - Acquinis College, Leilani Hills - Easts Rugby Union Club - Brisbane State High School, Milla Elaro - Manly Marlins - Westfield Sports High School, Piper Simons - Manly Marlins - Stella Marist College, Ruby Nicholas - Manly Marlins - Pymble Ladies College, Shalom Sauaso - Marist Rise - Ipswich State High School, Tayla Sykes - University of Queensland - St Aidan’s

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Originally published as World School Sevens rugby gun Milla Elaro on mission to inspire players from Sydney’s west