About

The Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team continues to evolve from its original charter of XV Rugby some 20 years ago, with the program now including the popular Ella Sevens Tournaments in Coffs Harbour, Cairns and Brisbane.

The Lloydies has also established strong youth sevens rugby programs, which includes nationally competitive women's and men's national teams, a schoolgirls development camp in Alice Springs, men's touring teams and a local club - The Eora Warriors for disadvantaged U8s and U12s based out of the NCIE in Redfern.

The mission of all the programs is to use Rugby as a tool to provide opportunities and education to enrich the lives of young Indigenous males and females.

Lloyd McDermott himself was by no means an ordinary Rugby Union player. He was the first Aboriginal player to represent his country. Pride was close to, if not the most, admirable characteristic of McDermott as a player. In 1962, as winger for the Wallabies, he made his pride in his Aboriginality clear to everyone in Australia by opting not to play as an ‘honorary white’ on the South African tour.

Lloyd McDermott was a man of iconic strength. He is also noted as the first Aboriginal barrister.

The Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team was established with the goal of introducing Rugby Union to young Indigenous men and women across Australia in hopes of coupling athletics with academics.

It is Lloyd McDermott's ability to combine sport and education which is at the essence of what the organisation stands for and it is the reason why the organisation bears his name.