Australia's Dream Big Time squads will have their first outing at this weekend's Western Sydney 7s.
After months of testing and thousands of kilometres of travel, Rugby Australia's Dream Big Time squads have been announced.
The Dream Big Time tour, that went to many Indigenous communities around Australia, culminated in a camp involving more than 100 Indigenous hopefuls last month before the group was whittled down to two squads of 20.
Both squads will compete at various Sevens tournaments throughout the back end of the year.
Rohan Armstrong is among the group, having been selected out of a testing day at the Alice Springs Correctional Centre.
Armstrong was one of two former inmates who were part of the program, along with Josh Davis, who gave an emotional interview to RUGBY.com.au in the video above about the impact the program had on his life.
Dream Big Time project lead, and former Aussie Sevens assistant, Jarred Hodges said the final cut was a difficult one.
"It hasn’t been an easy task arriving at these two 20-strong squads because the talent on display at the camp in August exceeded all expectations," he said.
“While there are only 40 players named here, we have extensive shadow squads who all have their bags packed and ready to jump into the program at a moment’s notice.
“From here, the squads will come together in preparation for the upcoming tournaments. But we will also be continuing the off-field education around health, social and emotional well-being, leadership and identity which is at the core of this program.
“This is a holistic program designed to not only provide access and opportunity for talented athletes but also to address a number of the social issues that impact our First Nations communities.”
You can watch the tournament on Saturday and Sunday here.
TEAMS
First Nations Men's Team for Western Sydney 7s
Mark O'Dare
Dylan McLachlan
Tyson Fuller
Denzel Burns
Bailey Collins
Isiah Kawane
Hudson Berry
Danny Allende
Deon Evans
Jordon Remfrey
Tyrone Phillips
Tareq Parter
First Nations Women's Teams for Western Sydney 7s
Tshinta Kendall
Lilly-Ann Mason
Kobe Nona
Jana-Lee Conroy
Renae Nona
Alahna Ryan
Breanna Raymond
Leilani Andrews
Courtney Curry
Kazzia Lammon
Hagiga Moseby
Keisha-Leigh Coolwell
SQUADS
Dream Big Time squads
Female
Keisha-Leigh Coolwell, Brisbane
Courtney Currie, Taree
Grace Kemp, Canberra
Breanna Raymond, Gold Coast
Leilanie Andrews, Taree
Renae Nona, Brisbane
Alahna Ryan, Dubbo
Lilly-Ann Mason, Forbes
Jana-Lee Conroy, Brewarrina
Kazzia Lammon, Brisbane
Tshinta Kendall, Gold Coast
Babetha Nona, Townsville
Nahlani Ah Kit, Townsville
Tallulah Mohammed, Ballina
Kobe Nona, Canberra
Illarrah Roberts, Ballina
Breanna Green, Port Macquarie
Hagiga Moseby, Thursday Island
Zara Johnson-Gamia, Bundaberg
Mackensie Hudson, Townsville
Kodi Wright, Normanton
Male
Denzel Burns, Toowoomba
Rohan Armstrong, Alice Springs
Deon Evans-Ao, Penrith
Bailey Collins, Sydney
Dylan McIachlan, Wagga Wagga
Tyrone Phillips, Sydney
Jayden Kitchener-Waters, Sydney
Hudson Berry, Sydney
Mark O'Dare, Sydney
Jordan Remfrey, Sydney
Albert Nona, Ipswich
Tareq Parter, Townsville
Isiah Kawane, Townsville
Harley Lester, Sydney
Gage Phillips, Sydney
Tyson Fuller, Sydney
Danny Allende, Sydney
