Inclusivity in Ottawa with The Ottawa Wolves
Emilie Létourneau represents the epitome of what it means to be a Gilbert Champion and we are proud to be shining a light on her amazing contribution to growing the game.
Hello, Bonjour,
My name is Emilie Létourneau and I am currently President and a coach of the Ottawa Wolves Rugby Football Club. Never heard of it? No worries, I’m here to tell you everything you need to know! We are based in the national capital region, and we’re Ottawa’s only inclusive rugby team. We’re one of only five clubs in Canada that are part of the International Gay Rugby (IGR), and the only club in Canada to have two established sides. Today, we still pride ourselves on offering a welcoming, open and safe space for ALL players and supporters.
Now, where do I fit in? I joined the Ottawa Wolves almost 10 years ago after moving to Gatineau (QC). For those of you who aren’t familiar with the region, Gatineau and Ottawa are only separated by a river which allows everyone to enjoy the best of both cities. Not long after I joined the club, I decided to retire from my career in the Canadian Armed Forces, and found myself needing to find purpose again. Rugby and the Ottawa Wolves enabled me to stay focused on the positive and motivated to continue taking care of myself both mentally and physically. The Ottawa Wolves gave me a new family and allowed me to continue to grow as a leader and share my passion for rugby. As an openly gay woman, I have personally experienced how hard it can be to show your true self to the world without fear of being judged and the Wolves allowed me to do just that!
Since I have taken on the responsibility of being the President of the club, I have been able to witness even more the positive impact this team has on its members and the community. As a coach, I also have the pleasure of seeing firsthand the growth of every single player that hits the pitch wearing the Ottawa Wolves colours, which is a priceless reward. Going forward, I hope that my vision for inclusive rugby can be shared with even more people. Whether you are an athlete, or a closeted rugby fan (pun intended), I encourage you to reach out to your local rugby team… who knows, they might help you grow as a human being and become the family you didn’t know you needed.
Emilie playing Scrum Half for the Ottawa Wolves.
Emilie coaching with the Ottawa Wolves.
All photo credits are reserved to@bengronfors @gronforsphotography
Gilbert Champion Emilie (L), CEO Leigh (M), and another Gilbert Champion Brynn (R) at a PAC Fours event!