Fallbrook's Durbin is The Breakdown’s high school rugby player of the year

Fallbrook has become renowned for its girls rugby team, so it’s no wonder that its players receive accolades for their outstanding performances. One such player, Lilly Durbin, has been awarded time after time for her hard work on the field, and her most recent recognition is as The Breakdown’s high school rugby player of the year.

The Breakdown covers women’s rugby across the country, from high school to national levels, and on June 24 announced that Durbin was the overall high school player of the year.

“I wasn’t expecting anything like that; I was surprised,” said Durbin, who will be a senior this year at Fallbrook Union High School. “I found out when a college coach who had worked with me in New York contacted me with the link.”

After four years of playing the scrumhalf (when playing rugby sevens), Durbin says her favorite thing to do is take big hits for her teammates.

“If I have the ball, I give it to a teammate just as I’m about to get hit so they have space to run,” said Durbin, who is only 5'2". "My favorite thing about rugby overall is that it is such a happy community. Everyone is welcoming; we’re a big family, no matter where you go. That’s just the rugby way.”

Durbin knows a thing or two about the rugby community worldwide, as she has been across the country and abroad to play for different leagues.

“I’ve been to New York, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Washington, Philadelphia, Canada, Oregon, France, and of course, Las Vegas,” said Durbin, who has played in the Atavus senior All-Stars, the Girls High School All American 7s, and with the USA Women’s 7s team during the HSBC Women’s Seven Series as part of the World Rugby circuit.

Durbin has had a busy summer. She and fellow Fallbrookian Richelle Stephens have been training with the US women’s Olympic team at the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center. Durbin is the youngest participant.

“I’ll spend this whole summer training,” said Durbin. “My coaches have come down to watch my scrimmages, and they tell me to treat it like it’s any other game. If I over think it, my performance will go down. I owe everything to my Fallbrook rugby coaches. They [co-coaches Craig Pinnell, Marin Pinnell, Paul Bell, and John Duncan] taught us how to play rugby, the rugby culture, and without them, we wouldn’t be where we are.”

Durbin is proud of her accomplishments, but doesn’t bring them up often.

“I don’t want to come off as cocky, so I really don’t talk about it,” said Durbin, who has been scouted by a few colleges, but has not made a final decision yet.

“I’ve always wanted to be a professional athlete, ever since I played sports as a little kid,” said Durbin. “Rugby is different because it teaches you life lessons. It’s not just a sport. You learn to trust, to be passionate and to be selfless.”