Ready For The World | Lillian Healy (CGS 2025)

During my time at CGS, rugby has been my primary co-curricular – a passion that has evolved with the School’s support. I began playing eight years ago, becoming the first girl at CGS to play the sport. Since then, I have played for the Brumbies for six years and proudly represented CGS in the First XII for the past three years. 

Rugby’s influence on me has extended far beyond the field. It has shaped me mentally, physically, socially, and emotionally, equipping me to face challenges with resilience and adaptability. The sport has taught me discipline, perseverance, and how to lead under pressure. Each training session and game has demanded critical thinking, quick decision-making, and a deep commitment to teamwork. 

Being part of a team where mutual trust is essential has helped me grow as a communicator and collaborator. I’ve learned how to both lead and follow; skills that apply equally in academic group projects, leadership roles, and personal relationships. Rugby has also helped me build mental toughness and emotional intelligence, learning to manage both triumph and loss with humility and grace. 

As one of the first female rugby players at CGS, I’ve also come to understand the importance of representation and inclusion. Being able to help pave the way for younger girls in the sport has made me aware of my role as a mentor and deepened my commitment to lifting others as I climb. These experiences have shaped the person I am today and have made me more confident in stepping into the wider world – not only as a player, but as a thinker, a teammate, a leader, and a learner. 

Discipline and work ethic have become deeply embedded in me through my rugby experience. Between early morning gym sessions and a demanding training schedule, I’ve had to learn how to manage my time effectively, balancing the pressures of school and sport. While this has often been challenging, it has helped me build accountability and a strong sense of personal responsibility. 

That said, my journey in rugby hasn’t always been smooth. Navigating injuries and tough losses, I’ve come to understand the value of resilience. I’m especially grateful to my teammates, whose support has taught me how to bounce back from setbacks and maintain perspective. Persistence, mental toughness, and the ability to reflect are qualities that can’t be taught in a classroom. They are developed through experience. Ultimately, the balance between training, matches, recovery, and academic commitments has helped me master the art of prioritisation, a skill that will continue to serve me well beyond school. 

Understanding that everyone has a role to play—and that true success is only possible through mutual support—has taught me the importance of putting the team above myself, no matter how challenging that may be. Balancing the dynamics of leading and following, the teamwork we developed allowed us to push through tough matches and win finals in recent years. This success came from a shared commitment: to show up, to train with purpose, and to perform for each other. 

To reinforce this culture of accountability, our captaincy group created a code of conduct, serving as a collective agreement to strive to be the best people we can be, not just the best players. This emphasis on character is reflected at all levels of world rugby, most notably in teams like the All Blacks, who prioritise integrity alongside skill. At CGS, that same philosophy has been a foundation of our team environment. 

The ability to communicate clearly, support others, and uphold shared values has translated into other areas of my life, making me a better classmate, house captain, and person overall. 

Now, in my final year, I’m proud to serve as Co-Captain of Rugby at CGS, supporting the club across all year levels and genders. From organising gala days to leading post-match functions, I’ve been honoured to represent the programme and help push each team to become the best version of itself. While leadership can be difficult—especially in moments of loss or adversity—our captaincy team has taught me the importance of staying positive, staying connected, and building others up. 

It’s been especially rewarding to witness the growth of the Girls’ Rugby Programme. Now in our final year, we’ve seen it expand more than ever before, reflecting not only the strength of CGS’s culture but the growing space for women in rugby. Being a part of that progress has been one of the most meaningful aspects of my time here. 

I am so grateful for both the memorable wins and milestones and the chance to be a part of something greater than myself. No matter where I end up, I know that both rugby and CGS will always be with me.