SCONE’S Ed Arnott has followed in the footsteps of current Australian representatives by winning a prestigious CIS Red for his achievements in rugby union.
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The former Scone Grammar School student’s rapid progression saw him claim the award, which was previously handed to Qantas Wallabies star Michael Hooper and Australian 7s member Cameron Clark.
He also became the only player from a country school since 2008 to receive the Combined Independent Schools (CIS) Red after his impressive displays while playing for NSW last year.
The award is given to an athlete who made an exceptional contribution to the state team on recommendation from the CIS and NSW Rugby Convenors.
Arnott’s remarkable 2015 included selection in the Central North Junior Rugby Union side which played in the Country Championships, representing Eastern Suburbs Rugby Union at the State Championships, and coming third in the state finals as part of the Scone Grammar School 7s team.
Not content with that success, he played for CIS at the state carnival, joined NSW’s winning squad at the Interstate Exchange in Newcastle, and was picked for Sydney’s Cavaliers Rugby Academy which toured Singapore in December.
The academy side ended up taking out the Singapore 10s carnival in their age group, becoming the first Australian team to achieve the feat.
Now attending The King’s School in Parramatta, Arnott’s exceptional start to his career has been heavily influenced by his former coaches, particularly Graham Brown.
He said Brown taught him the importance of combining toughness with self-belief.
“Brownie made me realise how much I love rugby, but he also made me aware of how hard it is and how hard I have to work at it,” Arnott said.
After taking up rugby at the age of six, Arnott took to the game with gusto, competing in his first carnival a short time later at Walcha and bagging 12 tries.
He is now playing in the under-13s for Chatswood Junior Rugby Club on Sydney’s North Shore.
His current coaches are Rod Kafer, an ex-Wallaby, and current Australian women’s rugby 7s manager Scott Bowen.
With Arnott’s new school’s rugby season about to kick off, and his progress being overseen by another former Wallaby, Stephen James, it appears the talented youngster’s future is in good hands.