Braidwood’s Lewis Holland is competing in the Rugby Seven’s at the Rio Olympics, the Member for Monaro John Barilaro said.
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Lewis is one of the 81 NSW Institute of Sport’s athletes competing at this year’s games.
Mr Barilaro said of the 10,500 athletes competing at the games, 140 were either born or live in NSW.
“Lewis was born in Braidwood and attended Braidwood Central School,” Mr Barilaro said .
“Lewis, 23, joined the Brumbies Academy when he graduated school, playing 15s before he turned his attention to sevens at the age of 18.
“He made his debut with the Australian Men’s Rugby Sevens team in 2011. The same year he represented Australia at the Commonwealth Youth Games on the Isle of Man, coming home with the bronze medal.
“Lewis was named in the Under 20s squad that competed in the Junior World Championships in South Africa in 2012. He competed in almost every major tournament in the 2012-13 Sevens World Series and made his World Cup debut in Moscow, 2013.”
Mr Barilaro said a hamstring injury saw Lewis miss out on the 2014 Commonwealth Games, yet a strong 2015-16 season – including a starring role in the inaugural Sydney 7s - secured his spot in the final squad for Rio.
“I will be cheering Lewis on and encourage everyone to get behind our local Olympian. I would like to use this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of all athletes’ families, coaches and communities that have helped our Olympians make it to Rio.”
Follow the entire Australian team at rio2016.olympics.com.au
