Kallum, 16, is enjoying rugby union success Down Under

Kallum Packard, formerly of Heanor

Published on 08/10/2012 07:38

A former pupil at Aldercar Secondary School has been enjoying some rugby union success – on the other side of the world.

Kallum Packard and his family emigrated to Queensland, Australia, just over four years ago, having lived in the Amber Valley area all their lives.

His parents Guy and Deborah Packard ran the Seir Yoku Schools of Ju Jitsu, with sessions held in Ripley and Heanor, and were well-known figures on the local sporting scene.

Now Kallum, who was a 12-year-old Year Seven Student at Aldercar Secondary School when the family took the decision and emigrated in 2008, is making a sporting name for himself in his adopted homeland.

Now 16, he has been selected to play for the Stingrays, the Sunshine Coast Rugby Union Representative Team and will be playing in the State Championships over the next weekend, representing the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

Kallum went though a vigorous invitation-only selection process and managed to earn his jersey the hard way.

The next step for him now is the State Titles, and then hopefully on to his ultimate sporting ambition of becoming full-time professional player.

But there is one big question now looming for him:

If given the chance, will he play for England or Australia?

Maybe in the next few years he’ll get the chance to answer that one. Watch this space!

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Kallum, 16, is enjoying rugby union success Down Under

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