NSW Juniors U12 Development Gala: Bringing the Lloydies U12s Together

Thomas Evans

Last year, the Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team brought together a new cohort of U12 boys and girls to represent the Lloydies at the NSW Juniors U12 Development Gala. Coordinated by Luke McCormack, the initiative drew families from right across New South Wales, Arrawarra, Tamworth, Dubbo, Nowra, Wagga Wagga, Singleton, Newcastle, Western Sydney, Wollongong and the South Coast, many meeting for the first time.

Weather threatened to derail the weekend. Heavy rain in the days prior created uncertainty, but steady communication with NSW Juniors and clear updates to families meant plans could adapt without losing momentum. A WhatsApp group, simple but effective, became the command centre for logistics, registrations, welfare guidance (including blue card concussion protocols), ground-marshalling and assistant referee rosters, and last-minute kit swaps.

The weekend began at Boronia Park on Friday evening with a short, safety-focused training run followed by a jersey presentation and shared community dinner. For a group with varied rugby backgrounds, many league-first players and several brand-new to union, this first session mattered. Players learned roles, parents met coaches, and the team spirit that defines the Lloydies came to life quickly. Community stepped in at every turn: a parent with a camera to capture the moment; others arranging bread rolls and gravy to turn leftover chicken into lunch for game day; families offering marquees, transport advice, and hands-on help.

Saturday and Sunday at North Narrabeen revealed what this coming together made possible. The boys ground out hard, honest minutes, improving visibly with each game and celebrating a first-day win. The girls posted two emphatic victories on Saturday (approximately 45–5 in each match), playing with speed, shape and confidence that belied the fact they had trained together only once. Sidelines were loud and generous, boys supporting girls, girls supporting boys, families supporting everyone. The practical tasks, Rugby Xplorer registrations, physio and strapping, assistant referees, ground marshals, were handled smoothly because people leaned in.

There were challenges. The weather remained a live factor, and a small number of injuries, including a broken forearm and a case of whiplash, tested the group’s resilience. Accredited physio support on Saturday helped ensure players were cared for, and families rallied around those affected. Kit sizing required a flurry of swaps to make sure every child had gear that fit; again, the community solved it together.

What shone through the weekend was more than football. Children forged new friendships in hours, not weeks. They wore the jersey with pride and learned how to be part of a team that listens and shows up. Parents spoke about the joy of seeing their kids find “brothers and sisters” from other parts of the state. One parent shared that another coach had pointed to our group and said, “That’s how you want to be a team.” On the long drives home, players named their favourite things: playing with their brothers, being Aboriginal, and having fun. That order captures the weekend perfectly.

The Gala also underscored the value of Indigenous pathways in rugby. Our teams mixed it with district sides that play together every week, proving that when opportunity, care and culture align, young players rise quickly. The experience ignited ambition, talk of Ella 7s, school reps, and “the next one”, and stitched another thread into the Lloydies network that supports kids well beyond one tournament.

This U12 campaign was not possible without volunteer spirit: parents and carers who drove long distances, juggled accommodation, covered roles, and brought solutions; directors and alumni who showed up with expertise and encouragement; and the calm coordination that held it all together. To every family who trusted the process and every child who wore the jersey with pride, thank you. You made the weekend.

Impact at a glance
• Brought together U12 boys and girls from diverse regions across NSW, many new to rugby union.
• Built rapid team cohesion through a purposeful training session, jersey presentation, and shared meal.
• Delivered competitive performances across the weekend, including two strong wins for the girls on Saturday.
• Activated a broad base of volunteer support (refereeing, ground marshalling, physio, photography, catering).
• Strengthened cultural pride, peer connections, and ongoing participation pathways.

The NSW Juniors U12 Development Gala was a powerful reminder of what the Lloydies stand for: opportunity, culture, and community, on and off the field. Guided by Luke McCormack and carried by our families, the next generation stepped into the jersey and made it their own.

This was made possible through the generous support of The Taverners, Sydney and Jack Singleton.