Given her proud sporting pedigree, there was always a sense of inevitability about Courtney Lott reaching the top.
When the talented teen touch player steps onto the pitch in Malaysia later this year for the Youth World Cup, she will continue a Lott family legacy. The 18-year-old has been selected in the New Zealand U20 mixed touch team which will attempt to defend their crown in August.
As a member of the New Zealand U18 mixed touch team, Courtney had been through the system and knew what to expect during the trials in April, but worried selectors would see her as too young for the 20s.
“I thought I had no show in hell.”
Courtney will be the region’s sole representative in Malaysia. The young prodigy boasts a prestigious touch heritage.
Courtney’s parents are Colin and Deborah Lott, Colin a former Nelson Bays rugby representative Deborah a youth New Zealand Trampolinist and both ex-Nelson touch reps.
Also, in the family is former Touch Black Amanda Bergman, nee Rigby. “My aunty was also a Touch Black and she has always been keen to talk about her stories.”
The Tasman Touch member rating last year’s trans-Tasman test series as the highlight of her career thus far.
“We lost all three, but they were close.”
Despite results not going their way, she says it was a surreal experience, singing the national anthem particularly emotional.
Courtney says Australia has had the wood over their Kiwi counterparts for several years.
“But we are currently the Youth World Cup champs, so the biggest goal is to bring it back home.”
Currently in Wellington studying architecture, Courtney hopes to continue her rapid rise through the ranks to the Touch Blacks, following the path of former teammate and fellow Nelson College for Girls alumnus, Nicole Drummond.
“She’s pretty incredible, she’s hard working, always has a smile on her dial, she’s been a pretty huge help helping me with skills and fitness so someone I look up to on the touch scene.”
Courtney says the camaraderie she shares with her teammates translates to lifelong friendships.
“Everyone has your back, and after a tournament, no matter the outcome, it’s just an unreal feeling having worked your arse off and complete something as a team.”
