Laura-May McGovern reflects on standout 2025 season after Australian schoolgirls rugby sevens honours

A 12-month goal and an 11th hour phone call has given a Sunshine Coast rising star the chance to represent Australia against the world’s best teenage Rugby 7s talents. See her rapid rise.

Sunshine Coast rising rugby union talent Laura-May McGovern. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Sunshine Coast rising rugby union talent Laura-May McGovern has continued her stellar 2025 season with selection in the prestigious Australian Schoolgirls under-18 Rugby 7s team.

The recently graduated Siena Catholic College Student was a late addition to the 13-person squad after initially selected as a shadow.

McGovern’s call-up came after the 17-year-old helped lift Queensland to victory in the Australian Schoolgirls grand final in July.

“Unfortunately one of the girls has since been injured so I got the call up a few weeks ago,” McGovern said.

“The phone call was a surreal moment and a bit of a blur to be honest.

“I was in the squad last year but didn’t make the final team so this selection has been a major goal of mine for the last 12 months.”

The moment was made extra special for McGovern with the coach of the Australian Schoolgirls side, Luke Zeremes also the head coach of McGovern’s senior women’s team at the Nambour Toads.

Sunshine Coast rugby union talent Laura-May McGovern in action for Queensland. Picture: Rachel Wright/ASRU.

“It’s exciting but also very humbling and for Luke to be the one to tell me was pretty special,” she said.

“Luke got me over to Nambour a few years ago and to have his trust is something that’s hard to explain.

McGovern, who is a part of the Queensland Reds development academy, comes from a family of four older brothers and said rugby union was her only option as a child.

“I got into footy through my brothers, we were always playing in the backyard and they all played club for USC Barbarians so I started there when I was five and have played ever since,” she said.

“I was the only girl in my team for the first few years but I also didn’t know anything different so I always enjoyed it.”

The Australian Schoolgirls 7s side will fly out to New Zealand next week to compete at the Global Youth 7s in New Zealand from December 19.

“I’m excited to meet all of the girls and experience the competition, the culture of rugby in New Zealand and of course wear a green and gold jersey,” she said.

McGovern thanked her coaches, teachers, family and friends for their ongoing support and commitment.

Originally published as Laura-May McGovern reflects on standout 2025 season after Australian schoolgirls rugby sevens honours