With little over half a year of secondary school remaining, Bronte’s Billy Smith (17) and Jakob Styles (17) from Wellington NSW, have bright futures ahead of them. Just last Friday the Australian Youth Boys Sevens extended side was announced with Billy and Jakob’s names joining those of 35 other boys from across the nation.
“I can’t think of two players more deserving of this chance to represent the country.” Said Mr Brian Smith, Director of Rugby at The Scots College, former dual international player and England Attack Coach.
“Both students have fully applied themselves to Rugby at Scots. They have demonstrated not only knowledge and maturity, but also that they are capable of independent thinking and taking up responsibility.”
As part of this squad, Billy and Jakob will attend three training camps, before the final Australian team for the World School Sevens Championship is announced. If successful, the two students will fly to New Zealand in December to defend the Australian team’s 2016 Championship title.
The selection follows a stint in the winning NSW Blues team at the National Youth Sevens Championships in Perth last year. Progressing through the entire tournament undefeated, the team finished with a score of 34-0 in a stunning finale. Billy’s skilful play also earnt him the Player of the Tournament award.
The College has a more than reputable Rugby Program, having held on to the Athletic Association of the Great Public Schools (AAGPS) Premiership for the past four consecutive years. A focus on sport pathways past a student’s years at school has seen the College produce a number of professional Rugby players, including Olympic gold medal Paralympian Andrew Edmondson (’08), ACT Brumbies Captain Sam Carter (’07), and Waratah members Andrew Kellaway (’13) and David Horwitz (’12).
Image: Billy Smith in action at the National Youth Sevens Championships.
