2023 Gilbert Champions
DAVID NEIL
DOGS RFC
https://dogsrugby.nfld.com/
Instagram: @dogsrfc
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/DogsRFC/
Location: Portugal Cove St. Philip's, Newfoundland
Current Clubs: Dogs RFC (Newfoundland, Canada)
Playing Positions: Second Row, Lock
Coaching/Managing: Dog's RFC SNR Women's
Current programs: Dog's RFC SNR Women's
David Neil has been with Dog's RFC for as long as he can remember. Formerly as a player and currently as the Senior Women's Team Coach for the DOGS RFC in Mount Pearl, NL. He joined rugby during his second year of high school when he was introduced to rugby as a varsity sport in the High School system. That followed with him, leading him to join and play Club Rugby with the DOGS RFC for the next four years, (Three years as a junior player and one as a senior player). Following a work related hiatus, he rejoined the DOGS in 1999 and played for approximately another 10 years. In 2018 his two daughters started playing and he has been involved with the Club assisting and coaching ever since. When he is not involved with Rugby, he volunteers with The C.L.B., a youth group that he has been involved with as a member of for over 40 years.
JAMES NOFTALL
Swilers RFC & NL Rock.
https://swilers.ca/ & http://nlrugby.ca/
Instagram: @swilersrugby & @nlrugby
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swilersrugby/ & https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057481748903
Location: Conception Bay South, Newfoundland
Current Clubs: Swilers RFC & NL Rock (Newfoundland, Canada)
Playing Positions: Prop, 8 man, and Lock
Current programs: Swilers RFC & NL Rock (Newfoundland, Canada)
James since joining the rugby community in Newfoundland, has found that although the community isn’t very big, it’s very strong. With the game continuously growing throughout the province, James prompts the growth of the game throughout his high school growing his team from 17 players to 32. When he can he occasionally volunteers with the Rookie Rugby program at the Swilers complex in St. John’s. Getting first hand experience working with the future of the club and province’s rugby develop. James focus to grow the game this year is bringing a different point of view of the game to the community; one that is more sevens focused in preparation for the 2025 Canada Games. With having a strong 15s base throughout the community in Newfoundland, James believes introducing the 7s style will create more opportunities for the next generations of players to get involved.
MALLORY GRANT
Charlottetown Rural High School
Instagram: @mallory.grant4
Facebook:
Location: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Current Clubs: Charlottetown Rural High School (Prince Edward Island, Canada)
Playing Positions: Prop, and Hooker.
Current programs: Charlottetown Rural High School (Prince Edward Island, Canada)
After years of watching from the sidelines and cheering on her brother Mallory Grant took the leap and decided to start playing as well. Mallory has always considered rugby to be her outlet, helping her cope with self image and mental health struggles that we all face growing up. She finds that rugby is the sport that she could get out all her feelings, gather her thoughts, and get her emotions out when she can't find the words to express them. Mallory firmly believes that everyone is struggling, and that the sport not only helped with her self-confidence and mental health, but she doesn't know where she would be without the sport as well as her coaches and teammates. She also firmly believes that it is important to show diversity within the sport so that individuals like herself who struggle with body issues know they have a sport they can belong to no matter what shape or size their body is.
MADDISON CLEMENTS
UPEI, PEI, PEI CRFC
https://www.peirugbyunion.ca/
Instagram: @maddy_clements
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peirugby/
Location: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Current Clubs: UPEI Womens rugby team, PEI Sr Womens Abbies team, PEI CRFC Womens club team (Prince Edward Island, Canada)
Playing Positions: Wing and Flanker
Coaching/Managing: Women’s A rugby team at Three Oaks Senior High School and Rookie Rugby programs in Summerside.
Current programs: UPEI Womens rugby team, PEI Sr Womens Abbies team, PEI CRFC Womens club team (Prince Edward Island, Canada)
Maddison Clements always had an interest in the sport, and once it was made known to her that her sister has always been interested in playing, she knew she had to join. Maddison’s sister has been her inspiration throughout her rugby career, as she has a medical condition which unfortunately has allowed her to play. Maddison and her sister share their love of rugby together, with Maddison emphasizing her love for the intensity and grit it takes to play which also leads to amazing connections and friendships being developed along the way. In her time outside of playing, Maddison coaches the women’s A rugby team at Three Oaks Senior High School as well as coaching with the rookie rugby programs in Summerside.
NEHEMIAH O'NEIL
RUGBY CANADA U18, Halifax Tars, Nova Scotia Keltic’s
https://halifaxtars.ca/ & https://rugbyns.ns.ca/
Instagram: @_nehemiahoneil
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/halifaxtars/ & https://www.facebook.com/RugbyNovaScotia/
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Current Clubs: RUGBY CANADA U18, Halifax Tars, Nova Scotia Keltic’s (Nova Scotia, Canada)
Playing Positions: Prop and Hooker
Current programs: RUGBY CANADA U18, Halifax Tars, Nova Scotia Keltic’s (Nova Scotia, Canada)
Nehemiah O’Neil is one of Canada’s young and upcoming players to watch. He comes from a family of five and has been involved in sports his entire life. Nehemiah has always loved playing sports because of the people he has met and the connections he builds. Specifically, what he loves most about rugby is the community and family around the sport. Even though Nehemiah grew up playing every sport, he found that he was missing the family aspect after practices and games, and he didn’t find that until he began playing rugby. He credits his success thus far in his career to his high school coaches Danny Sinclair and Eillott Kayser, who noticed his talents and were adamant that he continued with rugby outside of school. Nehemiah was able to represent Rugby Canada’s U18 team in 2022 in Amsterdam.
AMANDA JARDINE
Acadia University, Nova Scotia Keltic’s, Valley Rugby Union.
https://valleyrugbyunion.ca/ & https://rugbyns.ns.ca/
Instagram: @aj_jardine
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValleyRugbyUnion/ & https://www.facebook.com/RugbyNovaScotia/
Location: Greenwood, Nova Scotia
Current Clubs: Acadia University, Nova Scotia Keltic’s, Valley Rugby Union. (Nova Scotia, Canada)
Playing Positions: Wing - Acadia Univeristy. Wing and Manager Nova Scotia Keltics and Wing Valley Rugby Union.
Coaching/Managing: Manager Nova Scotia Keltics
Current programs: Acadia University, Nova Scotia Keltic’s, Valley Rugby Union. (Nova Scotia, Canada)
When Amanda was younger there was not much of a pathway to playing higher levels of rugby. So, the growth in Nova Scotia rugby to provide a high level of coaching and training to help athletes to reach their goal of playing on a university stage, for Canada or professionally continues to motivates her to be involved. Shifting her mindset from wanting those opportunities for herself to helping push younger athletes, performing her best so they could have a better opportunity than herself. From organizing training, tours, and competitions for them has increased her level of play and has become a good supporter in her organizational role as a manager. Nova Scotia has come a long way from when Amanda was younger, in taking athletes and putting them into a professional training group to help them which she is extremely proud of RNS for facilitating the training. Acadia Rugby program has provided a place for many of these athletes to continue their training and play on a national stage, with the Valley Rugby Union really committed to developing women’s rugby in the province over a large geographical area.
SARA GRANT
Acadia University
https://www.acadiaathletics.ca/sports/wrugby/index
Instagram: @grant_sara5
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/axewomenrugby/
Location: Melrose, New Brunswick.
Current Clubs: Acadia University (Nova Scotia, Canada)
Playing Positions: 15s: Center at Acadia U, the Bagtown Bruisers (Club), Team NB U19 and NB Senior Women's.
7s: Sara played fly half and center for team New Brunswick at the Canada Summer Games.
Coaching/Managing: Assistant coaching for the U19 New Brunswick Women’s Team.
Current programs: Acadia University. (Nova Scotia, Canada)
What Sara Grant wants the rugby community to know is that she is proud of where she is from; a very small town and chose to go to a university in another small town, which she is very proud of. Acadia University is a beautiful place and school, but the greatest thing about the school is the family the rugby program has given Sara. The team has given her a place to be herself, to grow, and to inspire the next generation of rugby players like the ones before her did. Sara’s focus is helping girls in sport see that it does not matter who you are, or where you are from; you can be great if you’re surrounded by the right people. She accredits her start in rugby to her sister Vanessa, who inspires her each day. You can find Sara this summer assistant coaching for the U19 New Brunswick Women’s Team.
MICAELA HACHEY
Miramichi Slammin Salmon RFC
https://www.facebook.com/groups/297195073774734/
Instagram: @micaelahachey & @slamminsalmonrugbyclub
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/297195073774734/
Location: Maple glen, New Brunswick.
Current Clubs: Miramichi Slammin Salmon RFC (New Brunswick, Canada)
Playing Positions: Hook, Prop, or Flanker
Current programs: Miramichi Slammin Salmon RFC (New Brunswick, Canada)
Micaela Hachey is passionate about creating a space where all kids belong and is dedicated to building a community of players who the seniors are examples of good citizens that the kids can look up to and grow into model citizens. She believes rugby is powerful and she loves seeing the kids’ building bonds that only continue to blossom, whether it’s with teammates or opponents. Working with them to give back to their community and having fun in doing so. She has been involved in the Miramichi Slammin Salmon RFC for the last three years and she has watched it grow from no teams to now having nine active teams with over 200 families involved who have never played rugby prior. Micaela puts a large amount of her focus on having fun, promoting positive mental health and physical health, and ensuring she is a direct contact of support for the kids. In doing so, she has seen a huge difference in the players confidence off field, which translates into their performance on the field. This year Micaela Hachey received an award directly from the mayor for her volunteer hours with the club and the clubs outreach within the community.
KEVEN BELOUIN
Club de Rugby Parc Olympique
https://www.rugbyparco.com/
Instagram: @kevbelouin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/belouin
Location: Longueuil, Quebec.
Current Clubs: Club de Rugby Parc Olympique (Montreal, Quebec)
Playing Positions: Wing
Coaching/Managing: Coaches at Club de Rugby Parc Olympique
Current programs: Club de Rugby Parc Olympique (Montreal, Quebec)
Keven Belouin is a francophone coach at CEGEP. He considers the team he coaches to be his best achievement within his career. Last year, they were the first francophone CEGEP team to win a championship. Leaving the team as a runner-up for this years season but having a solid program and foundational base. He believes that the kids from CEGEP need to have more exposure about their work and commitment to the program and that we need to initiate getting more boys involved in rugby in Quebec to improve the playing level and the numbers of members throughout the province. When Keven coaches, he tries to instil the important values of rugby to his players so that they can transfer those values and skills into their everyday lives. He believes that when you understand that rugby is a great part of your life, you raise the standards in your life.
EMILIE LÉTOURNEAU
Ottawa Wolves Rugby Football Club
https://ottawawolves.ca/
https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/art-hub/emilie-letourneau
Instagram: @emileleto
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OttawaWolves/
Location: Gatineau, Quebec.
Current Clubs: Ottawa Wolves Rugby Football Club (Ottawa, Ontario)
Playing Positions: Scrumhalf
Coaching/Managing: President and Coach of the Wolves
Current programs: Ottawa Wolves Rugby Football Club (Ottawa, Ontario)
Emilie Lẻtourneau is currently the President of the Ottawa Wolves Rugby Football Club in Ottawa. We are the only IGR club in Ottawa, and the only IGR club in Canada with both sides. As an International Gay Rugby club, the club and herself, pride themselves on being inclusive and ensuring that rugby is accessible and inclusive for all. With being an openly gay women, she prides herself on being an advocate for inclusivity in rugby, and all other sports. For multiple years, she has been the captain of the Wolves W side, which allowed her to share both her passion for rugby and the importance of inclusivity. Looking forward, as President and Coach of the Wolves she wants to ensure that the community knows the Wolves is a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for all to play rugby and be themselves! Regardless of previous experience or skill level, she wants to ensure that everyone can join rugby, even those who were not necessarily given the option of having safe space in other sports to do so.
ÉRIC BOUCHER
Armada Montreal RFC
https://en.armadamontreal.com/
Instagram: @boucher.eric
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armadamontreal/
Location: Montreal, Quebec.
Current Clubs: Armada Montreal RFC (Montreal, Quebec)
Playing Positions: Lock
Current programs: Armada Montreal RFC (Montreal, Quebec)
What Éric Boucher wants the Canadian rugby community to know about him is that he is very passionate about inclusivity in sports! Sports has always been an important part of his life, with his first athletic competition occurring when he was just 6 years old. I have found that athletic activity has had a very positive impact on his development. Through sports, he’s learned and developed important skills like communication, rapid analysis & decision making, and teamwork. With positively impacting his physical development by keeping him healthy and by developing his passion for athletic activity. He believes that who he is today is due to the large involvement in sports throughout his life thus far. Unfortunately, as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, his experience in sport has not always been positive. As a result, it is important for him to promote inclusivity in sports and help eliminate homophobia/transphobia in sports while also helping to create opportunities for LGBTQ+ adults to discover the power of sports. Éric became a member of Armada Montreal RFC’s Board of Directors for the 2023 season. As the first (and only) dedicated inclusive rugby team in the Province of Quebec, Armada Montreal RFC has a big role to play in educating and promoting inclusivity within rugby. As a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports, joining the Board of Directors of Armada Montreal RFC was a natural fit for him. In his role thus far, he was the primary author of the 2023-2024 Armada Montreal RFC Vision and Guiding document, which highlights their values, commitments, and cyclical goals. One of the initiatives that he participated in via Armada Montreal RFC that helped support, grow, and promote inclusivity in rugby is an awareness video about LGBTQ+ experiences in sport created by Rugby Quebec. This was a series of interviews, one from Éric and three other LGBTQ+ rugby players about our experience’s rugby. The link to the video: https://fb.watch/ihaTheSsY0/
NAYKA GOUDREAU
Cégep Campus Notre-Dame-de-Foy
http://notre-dame.cndf.qc.ca/notre-dame-rugby/
Instagram: @nayka_goudreau
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cndfnotredame?locale=fr_CA
Location: St-Prosper de Dorchester, Quebec.
Current Clubs: Cégep Campus Notre-Dame-de-Foy (Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Quebec)
Playing Positions: Scrum Half and Fly Half
Coaching/Managing: Rookie Rugby programs in Quebec during the summer.
Current programs: Cégep Campus Notre-Dame-de-Foy (Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Quebec)
Nayka Goudreau is a student athlete who has been involved in her rugby community for 5 years now. What she loves most about the sport is the inclusivity. She made the Quebec U18 rugby team for the 7s New York tournament. When Nayka play’s she has been known for her assistant captaining of her schools’ team. When off the pitch, she helps with the Rookie Rugby activities that take place in her community during the summer. She is currently in the process of completing her courses to become a certified coach and referee.
SAMUEL LEBLANC
Cégep Campus Notre-Dame-de-Foy
http://notre-dame.cndf.qc.ca/notre-dame-rugby/
Instagram: @Sam_Lebb
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cndfnotredame?locale=fr_CA
Location: St-Prosper de Dorchester, Quebec.
Current Clubs: Cégep Campus Notre-Dame-de-Foy (Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Quebec)
Playing Positions: Scrum Half and Wing
Current programs: Cégep Campus Notre-Dame-de-Foy (Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Quebec)
Samuel Leblanc started his rugby career two years ago thanks to the push of his friends and the support from former Champion and now coach Karen Paquin as well as his coach Julien Canet. As soon as Samuel took to the pitch for his first match, he immediately became addicted and obsessed to the game. He started by playing with the collegial team and within the next few weeks he will be starting to practice with a lot of high level athletes with the CRQ academy in Quebec. Samuel will also be applying for team Quebec in the next few years, as he wants to make the people who helped get him too where is he is proud.
ELLIOT SMITH
Oshawa Vikings
https://www.vikingsrugby.ca/
Elliotsmith.ca
Instagram: @youthamplifier_101
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliott.smith.737001/
Location: Ajax, Ontario.
Current Clubs: Oshawa Vikings (Oshawa, Ontario)
Playing Positions: Flanker, Hooker, and Prop
Coaching/Managing: Certified Mixed Ability Coach|
Current programs: Oshawa Vikings (Oshawa, Ontario)
Elliot Smith is on the Mixed Ability league for the Oshawa Vikings and went to the IMART tourney in Cork, Ireland where they placed 2nd out of 24 other teams representing team Canada. He is also a Mixed Ability certified coach and am employed by the Abilities centre as a Physical Fitness and Literacy Associate and a Mixed Ability Instructor.
Elliot sits on the Sport and Inclusion team and helps train other Rugby leagues about how to best support athletes like himself. He co-wrote a Children’s book that can be found on Amazon called Mateo’s Mixed Ability match and 100% of all funds are going back to Mixed Ability Sport Canada. They have raised $1500 so far and Elliot hopes to use the funds to help adults with disabilities try Mixed Ability sport for the first time. Elliot’s goals are to really break down the financial barriers. This year so far, Elliot will be going to 3 libraries to talk about IMART and read his book. He will also be going with his coach to the Ajax and Whitby local town meetings to have their team officially recognized for the IMART tourney. Elliot’s focus is to grow the sport of Mixed Ability not just in rugby but beyond in other sports too.
DEBBIE SMITH
Oshawa Vikings – Battle Axes
https://www.vikingsrugby.ca/
https://www.amazon.ca/Mateos-Mixed-Ability-Match-Elliot/dp/B0BJ46CHNJ
Instagram: @drdebbiesmith
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VikingsRugbyFC/
Location: Ajax, Ontario.
Current Clubs: Oshawa Vikings Battle Axes (Oshawa, Ontario)
Playing Positions: TBD
Current programs: Oshawa Vikings Battle Axes (Oshawa, Ontario)
Debbie Smith although not a player or coach, is huge supporter of rugby and the community. From supporting her son Elliot on the pitch as well as off, Debbie is finally going to give the game a try with the BattleAxes after being inspired by Elliot. Although she feels that she is and will be out of her comfort zone, Elliot has inspired her and has shown her that truly nothing is impossible, if he can do it so can she. When she’s not supporting Elliot on the pitch, she supports Elliot by helping him prepare for his presentations that he does to help train other coaches on Mixed Abilities Coaching. Debbie has done interviews for local media including CITY TV on the book her and Elliot co-wrote called Mateo's Mixed Ability Match which is on AMAZON. They have raised over $1500 which they are using to help reduce financial barriers for disabled athletes who want to try Mixed Ability Rugby. Debbie sits on the Board of Directors with Elliot for the Oshawa Vikings representing the Mixed Ability team.
SHAKYLE DALEY SAMUELS
Muddy York RFC
https://www.muddyyork.ca/
Instagram: @shakyleofthenile & @muddyyorkrfc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/muddyyork/
Location: Toronto, Ontario.
Current Clubs: Muddy York RFC (Toronto, Ontario)
Playing Positions: Utility back, primarily playing Fullback or Centre
Current programs: Muddy York RFC (Toronto, Ontario)
Shakyle Daley Samuels finds that as a gay man, it’s great to play a sport that’s as open to his identity as rugby has been. He has found that other sports aren’t as inclusive, and it’s shown with how many of his also queer teammates had troubles with certain sports growing up. Shakyle is very involved with the Muddy York, both on the pitch as a player, as well as off the pitch in helping with recruitment, tournament planning and other responsibilities. The club is trying to grow into something special and his focus his to continue to grow the game within the LGBTQ+ community on top of fighting for the rights of the community. Not only does he mentor within his club, but he is very involved in ensuring that Muddy York is a safe space for queer people and the BIPOC community. He believes that “every part of rugby brings its own joys and benefits” and he is “happy to be able to experience all of them”.
EM CORMIER (THEY/THEM)
Mississauga Blues RFC and St. Francis Xavier SS
https://bluesrugby.ca/ & https://www.dpcdsb.org/STFXS
Instagram: @thevitiligowarrior & @sfxrugby
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BluesRFC/
Location: Mississauga, Ontario.
Current Clubs: Mississauga Blues RFC and St. Francis Xavier SS (Mississauga, Ontario.)
Playing Positions: Main position – Hooker , other positions – prop and flanker
Current programs: Mississauga Blues RFC and St. Francis Xavier SS (Mississauga, Ontario.)
Em Cormier wants the Canadian rugby community to know that rugby is a sport for all. She currently is working on spreading the word about this game to all individuals; especially to 2SLGTBQ+ members and neurodivergent people. Em wants to contribute to the growth of things like encouraging transgender and no-binary people to participate in rugby in their affirmative categories and encouraging children with ADHD to participate in rugby. Inclusivity is one of the core values of rugby and Em is here to promote that to anyone and everyone that will listen. They are involved in every way whether its on the pitch or off. When they aren’t playing on the field for either of their teams, they are on the field coaching the minis or gaining experience refereeing U12. Coaching and refereeing are way they get more involved with the sport at a young age and has allowed them to give back to their community, especially in such a male dominated sport. They are committed to continuing to spread the word of rugby to ALL female identifying individuals, as it’s their time to frow in this ever-growing game!
IAN ROYER
Rainbow Griffins RFC
https://rainbowgriffinsrfc.ca/
Instagram: @ianmichado & @rainbowgriffinsrfc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rainbowgriffinsrfc/
Location: Toronto, Ontario.
Current Clubs: Rainbow Griffins RFC (Toronto, Ontario.)
Playing Positions: Prop
Coaching/Managing: President and Co-Founder of Rainbow Griffins RFC
Current programs: Rainbow Griffins RFC (Toronto, Ontario.)
Ian Royer is someone who embodies what a Champion is. He co-founded and started the Rainbow Griffins a year ago to not only provide a safe space for queer people to learn rugby, but to also advocate for inclusivity in regional and international rugby governing bodies. Ian is the current club President as well as an assistant coach, and off the pitch he is a publicist and community builder.
When he is not on the pitch coaching or playing rugby, he spends his time as a dog dad and enjoys video games and anything Marvel! Ian’s aspirations for the year is to assist with the development of 5 queer rugby coaches to attain their Level 1 & 2 certificates, as well as to get at least 5 queer players including himself certified as referees, while building more capacity for gender non-conforming people to play in the sport via the club.
LINA FEBBRARO
Associated with District School Board of Niagara/ Brock University
https://gobadgers.ca/index.aspx
Instagram: N/A
Facebook: N/A
Location: St. Catharine's, Ontario.
Current Clubs: District School Board of Niagara (Niagara, Ontario.)
Playing Positions: Every position except for the second row
Coaching/Managing: Has previously coached high school for 15 years for the DSBN; currently coaching Jr. and Intermediate flag rugby for the DSBN
Current programs: District School Board of Niagara (Niagara, Ontario.)
Lina has been instrumental in bringing flag rugby to elementary students at the District School Board of Niagara. She is a dedicated teacher and mentor to so many kids. The effort she puts in to help install a love of rugby is by far the most consistent and selfless coaching that has been seen in the Niagara community. She teaches the game on such a fun and teachable platform that many students play for her two teams. She is someone who puts the game first, the players first and the competition second. Many of her students go on to play rugby at the high school level and have wanted to continue to play in various leagues. Lina is really succeeding in creating a special atmosphere for kids to feel great about themselves in life as developed through rugby. Anyone who has been in Lina’s presence within the rugby community, has nothing but phenomenal things to say and each parent of the students she teaches find that they can never express their gratitude to Lina enough for her coaching experience. Lina has been part of Autism Movement Camp (Brock University) and the Children's Movement Camp also at Brock for many years now.
ANNEMAREE PETERS
Instagram: @coach_apeters
Facebook: N/A
Location: Ottawa, Ontario.
Current Clubs: School is in the Ottawa Ospreys feeder system but I have some ties to the Ottawa Irish and Lanark Highlanders
Playing Positions: Tight head Prop; 8
Coaching/Managing: Coaches at various levels for various teams.
Current programs: Holy Trinity Girls 7's and 15's
Annemaree Peter’s helped initiate rugby at Holy Cross Secondary School and helped to establish varsity status for the sport at Brock University. She has coached at various high schools in the Niagara, Hamilton, and Ottawa areas. Annemaree has been on the Niagara Rugby Union Board of Directors as a Women’s representative, secretary, treasurer, and president. She has also been the Director of Women’s programs for Rugby Ontario, Chair of OFSAA Sport Advisory Committee and received the OFSAA Leadership in Sport Award in 2013. Currently, Annemaree is involved in coaching high school girls’ rugby. She connects the players with local clubs to continue growing the game and have coaches from the club join her as a part of the coaching team. She also is a point of connect for the players that are graduating and would like to continue their rugby careers throughout their post secondary studies. Currently, she is in the beginning stages of becoming a coach educator with Rugby Canada and NCCP. To stay involved over the years off the pitch, she has attended various coaching conferences, clinics, and webinars.
AKEEM GREEN
Brampton Beavers Club
https://www.rugbybrampton.com/
Instagram: @ akeem3.0
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BramptonBeavers/
Location: Mississauga, Ontario.
Current Clubs: Brampton Beavers Club (Brampton, Ontario).
Playing Positions: Fullback and Wing
Current programs: Brampton Beavers Club (Brampton, Ontario).
Akeem Green is a 20-year-old rugby player for the Brampton Beavers. He’s been playing rugby for almost 6 years now but apart from rugby he loves to play soccer, volleyball, football, frisbee and a lot of other sports because he finds that you can carry over things from every sport to the one that you mainly play. Akeem truly loves the outdoors, and any chance he gets to be outside, he will take it. It doesn’t matter if he’s on a hike, bike ride or just sitting on the field listening to the wind blow he is content. He is not quite apart of any other programs apart from Canada touch league and the Brampton touch league that the city of Brampton just approved and is moving forward with, but he does hope to get in contact with programs so that he could start to help more.
AMY MCNUTT
Hamilton Hornets RFC
https://www.hamiltonrugby.com/
Instagram: @amyleemcnutt
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HamiltonHornetsRugby/
Location: Hamilton, Ontario.
Current Clubs: Hamilton Hornets RFC (Hamilton, Ontario).
Playing Positions: Forward – Hooker, Prop, and Flank
Coaching/Managing: Minis Coach for Hamilton Hornets RFC.
Current programs: Hamilton Hornets RFC (Hamilton, Ontario).
Amy McNutt has been playing rugby since 2007 for the Hamilton Hornets. Her father was a member since the 1970’s and got her signed up when she was sixteen. Not only did this bring them closer, but he instilled his love of the game in Amy before his passing that she still carries with her today. Before the pandemic she played two seasons for South Buffalo RFC in 2018 and 2019. Currently Amy is the women’s representative of the Hamilton Hornets and loves being able to advocate for the women’s program within her club. She has also been an assistant coach of their mini rugby program since 2014. There’s nothing Amy enjoys more than inspiring young athletes to take up a sport that brings people together like no other. She prides herself in being able to inspire and encourage the kids to participate in rugby and have so much fun at training that they bring their friends! For the past two years Amy has organized a winter clothing and coat drive for the Hamilton community. Last year they were able to donate over 350 items of clothing to The Hub in Hamilton. It has become an annual event that she looks forward to doing for years to come.
BRYNN JENKINS
Toronto Rugby Union, Misfits, Tropical 7s, Ontario Blues, Peterborough Pagans
http://www.peterboroughrugby.com/
Instagram: @brynnjenkinsrugby.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PtboRugby
Location: Peterborough, Ontario.
Current Clubs: Toronto Rugby Union, Misfits, Tropical 7s, Ontario Blues, Peterborough Pagans (Peterborough, Ontario).
Playing Positions: 15s – 8-person, flyhalf and lock. 7s – Prop.
Coaching/Managing: U8 coach at the Peterborough Pagans
Current programs: Toronto Rugby Union, Misfits, Tropical 7s, Ontario Blues, Peterborough Pagans (Peterborough, Ontario).
Most importantly, Brynn Jenkins is proud to be a member part of the BIPOC community. Her goal is to help their club, and the rugby community in general, become more accessible to BIPOC, and persons living with a disability. Brynn wants rugby to reach everyone because they may come to love and cherish rugby population, they way she does. In the fall of 2021, to grow the game, she started a 7’s program at Crestwood SS. Brynn worked extremely hard to bring the sport to her school for the first time in several years. Starting team and finding people from different sports, all who have never played full contact rugby before was Brynn’s way of growing the game. Gaining the schools first exposure to the game, while going undefeated and retaining 8 players from the team to join her on the Peterborough’s 15’s squad, Brynn accomplished more than she imagined. Due to the leadership skills, Brynn learned while playing, coaching, and officiating rugby, as well as the belongingness she feels in the community, she has been able to help grow the women’s rugby program at her school and club. She has volunteered since she was 12. Currently a volunteer official at the local school board’s annual flag rugby tournament and helping coach the students at her former elementary school. In addition, Brynn is honoured to coach the U8 rugby team, with the Peterborough Pagans. Brynn loves being a part of that group and teaching the future rugby players to love the game and maybe even shoot to be a rugby star!
MEGAN PAKULIS
Scarborough Aces
https://scarboroughrfc.ca/
Instagram: @mpakulis
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scarboroughrfc/
Location: Toronto, Ontario.
Current Clubs: Scarborough Aces and TIRF (Toronto, Ontario).
Playing Positions: Inside center
Coaching/Managing: Coaches and volunteers with Scarborough Aces, TIRF, and York University.
Current programs: Scarborough Aces, TIRF, and the Women’s Ontario Rugby League (Toronto, Ontario).
Megan Pakulis is a rugby loving gal through and through. She is happy to be anywhere she can get a rugby ball in her hand. In high school, she took on every opportunity she could to play, which eventually led to competing for Rugby Ontario. From there, Megan was scouted to play at York University where she did her undergrad in Kinesiology. During her years at York, she continued competing for Rugby Ontario and was selected to play for the U20 Rugby Canada team in England. In the start of Megan playing, she played with the Toronto Saracens who introduced her to the Rugby League. Through her involvement and learning the sport of Rugby League, Megan was selected to play in the Rugby League World Cup in 2017 in Australia and in the Commonwealth Rugby League 9s in 2019. Since she has many endeavors with the Rugby League and various clubs. Megan along with some teammates initiated the brand-new club, the Scarborough Aces. Where they are continuing to use this team to make rugby more accessible to the people of Scarborough and East Toronto by offering a team close to home. Within its first year, Scarborough was promoted to the Ontario Women's League Division and is making great strides in growing the sport in the community. In 2019, Megan was hired on as the Assistant Coach to the University of Toronto Varsity Women's Rugby Team. She has been coaching there ever since and absolutely loves leading young, passionate athletes through their university careers. All in all, Megan’s goal for rugby is to give back to the community. There were so many people along her rugby career who supported her and pushed her to new heights, and without whom, she wouldn't be where she is today. Megan hopes to do the same for the many other athletes she encounters throughout her life as a player, coach, and avid rugby fan. If she can help at least one person experience all the wonders of rugby and fall in love with the sport the way she has, she will be elated.
ABBY HALL
Regina Rage, Dog River Howlers
http://www.dogriverhowlersrugby.com/
Instagram: @abby_hall07
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReginaRageRugby/
Location: Regina, Saskatchewan.
Current Clubs: Regina Rage, Dog River Howlers (Regina, Saskatchewan).
Playing Positions: Scrumhalf, Wing, and Centre C
Coaching/Managing: Helps with Jr Dog River Howlers and is planning to take her level 1 official.
Current programs: Regina Rage, Dog River Howlers (Regina, Saskatchewan).
At 12 years old Abby played in her first rugby tournament ever in the U14 age level. After that she played with the Regina Rage in the summer of 2021 and was one of the top scorers on the team, in September of that year she played with sr. women’s howlers’ team. To this date it is one of the best experiences of her life and in her rugby career so far. In the summer of 2022, Abby was on the U16 Sask/ Manitoba team for westerns. Along Abby’s rugby journey she has played and trained with incredible names in rugby, and they have all been a great impact in her training and experience through the game. Abby wants to help grow the girl’s team for the Saskatchewan program for tournaments, such as westerns and ManSask so that Saskatchewan girls can represent their own province with their own players instead of the mix of Manitoba and Saskatchewan players together. She remembers what it was like in 2019, when she played U14 and represented her province, but unfortunately lost that experience this past year due to how small the program is.
NOLAN HALL
Regina Highlanders RFC & Prairie Chickens RFC
https://www.facebook.com/ReginaHighlandersRFC/
Instagram: @Nolanhall56 & @PrairieChickensRFC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReginaHighlandersRFC/
Location: Regina, Saskatchewan.
Current Clubs: Regina Highlanders RFC & Prairie Chickens RFC (Regina, Saskatchewan).
Playing Positions: Scrumhalf, Wing, and Flanker
Coaching/Managing: Helps with Jr Dog River Howlers and MacDowell Academy.
Current programs: Regina Highlanders RFC & Prairie Chickens RFC (Regina, Saskatchewan).
Nolan Hall wants to grow Saskatchewan rugby as it is an actively depleting community, and through supporting this community at the grass roots it will translate to success at the national level. Likewise, supporting Manitoba rugby and other dying communities is a must. Nolan helps with the MacDowell Academy as a leader for the younger players. He has helped coach the junior Howlers U13 teams. Nolan has built both the sevens and fifteens provincial teams with close friends and talented athletes from the other sports he plays (wrestling and football). He’s assisted in building up the Regina minor rugby teams. While also recruiting many young people into club rugby through his club the Highlanders. Nolan often encourages players to join clubs other then his own, as club rugby and any sports community cannot function well if it’s all dominated by one or two teams. He believes this is something that we need to solve on a national level in Canada. With Saskatchewan and Manitoba needing to start building opportunities and good competitions to grow the sport. If there’s one thing Nolan wants the rugby community to know about him it’s that he is dedicated to growing this sport, as he believes there is no sport like it in the world and that he will do as much as he can to maintain it here.
SAMIDHRI GALHENAGE
Regina Rage, Sask Rugby, & MacDowell Academy
https://www.macdowellrugby.ca/
Instagram: @samidhri
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/www.macdowellrugby.ca
Location: Regina, Saskatchewan.
Current Clubs: Regina Rage, Sask Rugby, & MacDowell Academy (Regina, Saskatchewan).
Playing Positions: Scrumhalf, Wing, and Inside Center
Coaching/Managing: Volunteers as a Jr. Coach for mini rugby in Regina.
Current programs: Regina Rage, Sask Rugby, & MacDowell Academy (Regina, Saskatchewan).
Samidhri (Sami), is a fifteen-year-old who lives in Regina. She first began rugby when she was nine-years-old, and joined the MacDowell Academy, where she learned all the basic techniques and rules. Her first official match took place when she was twelve, when she played for the U14 Sask team. Currently Sami, plays for the U16 Sask rugby team and the Regina Rage Sr. Women’s team. She accredits her start in rugby to her coach Robin MacDowell, which she believes without him she wouldn’t be the athlete she is today. As well as Julie Foster, who improved Sami as a rugby player by introducing her to the senior women’s team to play and learn from but also giving Sami the confidence, she needed to become the player she is today. Rugby has taught and continues to teach Sami about life, responsibility, and leadership. It helped her find who she is as an athlete and a person and has brought so many wonderful people into her life. Sami believes that rugby has such a welcoming environment and provides players with opportunities and great connections with people. She continues to work on growing her experience and is excited for what is to come!
NATHAN BOLTON
LA Crude, Edmonton Gold, St. Albert, and Alberta Wolf Pack
https://lacrude.ca/
https://www.edmontonrugby.com/
Instagram: @nathan._.bolt13
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/LA-Crude-RFC/100045427733534/
Location: Leduc, Alberta.
Current Clubs: LA Crude, Edmonton Gold, St. Albert, and Alberta Wolf Pack (Leduc, Alberta).
Playing Positions: Flanker, and 8-man
Coaching/Managing: Volunteers in helping coach U5s and U7s with the Edmonton Gold
Current programs: LA Crude, Edmonton Gold, St. Albert, and Alberta Wolf Pack (Leduc, Alberta).
Nathan Bolton started playing rugby for the druids in Edmonton when he was ten years old. After that the LA Crude (his hometown club) put out a team and he has been playing with them ever since. Just this past year Nathan started playing high school rugby, which the school hadn’t had a team in over a decade, and they absolutely dominated the competition. Nathan has captained the Edmonton Rep team and the Alberta team. Just recently he has been invited to play in Kamloops and represent St. Albert club as well. Nathan accredits his start in rugby due to his father who has played overseas in Japan and has been his role model in his development of the sport since birth. The Bolton family embodies what a champion is with each member having some sort of involvement within the rugby community.
ALEXA YURKOWSKI
LA Crude Rugby Club
https://lacrude.ca/
Instagram: @alexayurkowski
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/LA-Crude-RFC/100045427733534/
Location: Leduc, Alberta.
Current Clubs: LA Crude Rugby Club (Leduc, Alberta).
Playing Positions: Utility back – can play anywhere and everywhere but her favourite position is outside center
Coaching/Managing: Volunteers and coaches with LA Crude Rugby Club.
Current programs: LA Crude Rugby Club (Leduc, Alberta).
Rugby has been one of the only constant things Alexa’s my life. Through thick and thin, it was always a safe place for her. She started playing when she was only four and her parents met playing rugby in high school. So, she would like to say it runs in her blood, but her favourite thing about rugby is the personal achievement and growth that she sees in herself and everyone that she plays with everyday. Within the past 2 years Alexa has been closely connected to the MacDowell rugby brand. With travelling to Vancouver Island numerous times to train with Robin MacDowell’s Island Academy in Cowichan Bay. She has even had the opportunity to represent MacDowell for the LA 7’s tournament, but shortly before, she broke her arm playing in a club game. But she doesn’t plan on letting that stop her and plans on kicking LA’s butt this year!
REBECCA POWELL
University of Lethbridge, Strathcona Druids, & Celtic Barbarians
https://www.druidsrfc.com/
Instagram: @rebeccap124
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DruidsRugby/
Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta.
Current Clubs: University of Lethbridge, Strathcona Druids, & Celtic Barbarians (Sherwood Park, Alberta).
Playing Positions: Outside center and Fullback
Current programs: University of Lethbridge, Strathcona Druids, & Celtic Barbarians (Sherwood Park, Alberta).
Rugby is more than what happens on game day or practices. To Rebecca being apart of the rugby community goes beyond that. She is happy to say that with her university and club teams they strive to help their community as much as possible helping it thrive. They help with blood drives, food banks and other fundraisers which are important to connect with the community. Rebecca is happy to be apart of the university of Lethbridge team, Strathcona Druids club, Celtic Barbarians, and caching Bev Facey high school rugby. She can't wait to see how the rugby community continues to grow and connect with each other and the community.
JAXON WEISBECK
Strathcona Druids
https://www.druidsrfc.com/
Instagram: @jaxon.weisbeck
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DruidsRugby/
Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta.
Current Clubs: Strathcona Druids (Sherwood Park, Alberta).
Playing Positions: 15S- Flanker, Flyhalf, and Center. 7S – Prop, and Wing
Coaching/Managing: Associated with Leaders in Training which is a program that develops youth for teaching and coaching sport.
Current programs: Strathcona Druids (Sherwood Park, Alberta).
Jaxon Weisbeck has been involved with many teams and many different programs throughout his life. For high school he plays with Salisbury. For rep teams he has played with MacDowell, Hawkeyes, and Gold. MacDowell is a rugby academy from Vancouver Island, Hawkeyes is a rep team based out of Idaho and Gold is a rep team based out of Edmonton. Jaxon has played many other sports alongside rugby like football, volleyball, badminton, and handball but rugby is his main sport. He loves the values that rugby brings and the lifelong friends that you make playing the sport. Jaxon has been playing for 8 years now and has made new friends from each year whether it was from his own club or another. Rugby has never lost its ability to cheer him up and never will. He has always been excited even if it is just a practice. Jaxon believes that it is much more than a sport, it is more about the bonding of people over a mutual love for something. He plans on incorporating rugby throughout his entire life, right now as a player, but later as a coach to give back to the community.
KAYLEIGH NOEL
Strathcona Druids, Edmonton Gold, Alberta Wolfpack, Team Alberta 7’s
https://www.druidsrfc.com/
Instagram: @kaayleighnoel
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DruidsRugby/
Location: Beaumont, Alberta.
Current Clubs: Strathcona Druids, Edmonton Gold, Alberta Wolfpack, Team Alberta 7’s (Beaumont, Alberta).
Playing Positions: Flyhalf, and Inside Center.
Current programs: Strathcona Druids, Edmonton Gold, Alberta Wolfpack, Team Alberta 7’s (Beaumont, Alberta).
Kayleigh Noel is very big on growing her local club. She feels like hometown clubs are something that can often be overlooked, but without them, she wouldn’t be where she is today. It’s very important personal goal of Kayleigh’s to create a welcoming environment for the younger girls at her hometown club. She feels like women in sports is just finally starting to get some of the recognition it truly deserves, but without a welcoming environment to keep the girls wanting to play, it creates a lot of negativities around playing a new sport for the first time. Kayleigh loves the community rugby builds. She finds that it is one of the many sports that is so accommodating to so many different types of individuals, that it is guaranteed that you will make lifelong friends. The competitive drive or playing high level rugby is something that Kayleigh has always loved. Through her experiences she’s learned that no matter if you are playing against your best friend, or a stranger, you play hard and have so much respect for each other during and after the games and the respect in rugby is like no other sport.
ANDREW CORIALE
Kamloops Rugby Club, Thompson Okanagan Rugby Alliance, NorKam Secondary, Brocklehurst middle school
https://www.kamloopsrugby.com/
Instagram: N/A
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KamloopsRugbyClub/
Location: Kamloops, British Columbia.
Current Clubs: Kamloops Rugby Club, Thompson Okanagan Rugby Alliance, NorKam Secondary, Brocklehurst middle school (Kamloops, British Columbia).
Playing Positions: Fullback, and Wing.
Coaching/Managing: Coaches at an elementary school and high school in Kamloops, as well as the Junior Coordinator and juniors coach for his local club. He also coaches minis rugby when he can. Andrew has had the opportunity to coach the regional team for BC’s provincial regional championships
Current programs: Kamloops Rugby Club, Thompson Okanagan Rugby Alliance, NorKam Secondary, Brocklehurst middle school (Kamloops, British Columbia).
Andrew Coriale works diligently in trying to keep rugby alive in his community, as in recent years there has been an overall decline in participation of youth in rugby in BC. Andrew came back to Kamloops in 2017 and saw there was a need for coaches in the schools, and at his local club. So, he decided to put off my "comeback" to playing men’s and focus on supporting the grassroots programs in Kamloops. Since then, it has been a bit of a rollercoaster!!! Coaching and directing junior rugby programs has challenged him to grow, learn, and thrive despite the obstacles they face geographically, and socio-economically. Andrew is known to coach in schools, for club juniors, club minis, and regional representative teams.
CLAIRE MACDONALD
Langley Rugby Club
https://langleyrugby.com/
Instagram: @roddyzeal
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LangleyRugbyClub/
Location: Langley, British Columbia.
Current Clubs: Langley Rugby Club (Langley, British Columbia).
Playing Positions: Fullback, and Flyhalf.
Coaching/Managing: Is becoming minis referee
Current programs: Langley Rugby Club (Langley, British Columbia).
Claire MacDonald loves rugby for the team, spirit, and how you can connect with individuals just like you. Whenever she plays, she feels at home, as she considers rugby to be her life. Inspired by her family, with her supportive parents and an aunt who’s been a player at the highest level with Team Canada, Claire knew it was a no brainer to begin playing. Although coming from a small town in Nova Scotia, she hasn’t let that stop her and she ensures to be consistently involved within her rugby community. As Claire aspires to be just like her aunt and play for Team Canada someday.
BYRON MCALLISTER
Castaway Wanderers & Junior Tide
https://cwrugby.com/
Instagram: @juniortiderugby & @cwjuniorboysrugby
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CWRugbyclub/
Location: Victoria, British Columbia.
Current Clubs: Castaway Wanderers & Junior Tide (Victoria, British Columbia).
Playing Positions: Fullback, and Flyhalf.
Coaching/Managing: Director of Junior Boys at Castaway Wanderers Rugby Club, also the chair of Junior Tide rugby
Current programs: Castaway Wanderers & Junior Tide (Victoria, British Columbia).
Bryon McAllister is the Director of Junior Boys at Castaway Wanderers Rugby Club and has been on the executive for 3 years now. Since he’s seen their registration numbers grow over the past few years. His home club were one of a few clubs still offering rugby training during Covid, following stringent guidelines. Bryon now is also the chair of Junior Tide rugby. Tide is the representative team on South Vancouver Island that participates in the annual PRC tournament in Vancouver. From this team they’ve had many players selected to play for their province and some for Canada selection camps. This past summer Bryon took on one of the manager positions for the Western Canadian U16 champions BC Bears. He found it to be a great learning experience and opportunity to be exposed to provincial level programs. He is also involved in middle school Glanford and high school Claremont rugby programs. Being a point of contact that is there to handle any organizational duties so the coaches can focus on coaching.
KIRIANNE HEALEY
Cowichan RFC
https://cowichanrugby.ca/
Instagram: @kikou.909
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cowichanrfc/
Location: Chemainus, British Columbia.
Current Clubs: Cowichan RFC (Chemainus, British Columbia).
Playing Positions: Second row, Outside/Inside Center, Wing, and Prop
Coaching/Managing: Helps coach the children's team
Current programs: Cowichan RFC (Chemainus, British Columbia).
Kirianne Healey is a part of the MacDowell rugby academy, and only recently started playing. Although just starting she immediately fell in love with rugby. The Cowichan Rugby Club helped find her love for the sport as well as all her amazing coaches she’s worked with. When not playing rugby Kirianne adores skiing/ski instructing at mount Washington and loves to coach kids in both rugby and skiing.
MADISON JUMEAU
University of Victoria
https://govikesgo.com/sports/womens-rugby
Instagram: @madijumeau
Facebook: N/A
Location: Victoria, British Columbia.
Current Clubs: University of Victoria (Victoria, British Columbia).
Playing Positions: 15s – backs, 7s - forward
Coaching/Managing: Helps coach the children's team
Current programs: University of Victoria (Victoria, British Columbia).
Madison Jumeau (MJ) is a 21-year-old athlete that plays for the University of Victoria. MJ credits rugby to changing their life. She believes she would not be where she is today without rugby, and she wants to keep giving back to the community that has so graciously supported her for over six years. MJ used to work for BC Grassroots Rugby Foundation which allowed for her to brin her two skills she has never put together before: rugby and working with children. She frequently volunteers at the University of Victoria for fundraising opportunities for the team and other organizations such as helping run rugby camps, barbecues, silent auctions, etc. MJ loves the sport for three reasons; she’s made some of her longest lasting friendships in rugby with people she met in junior high, the inclusivity of the sport, and lastly that the game has the perfect level of competitiveness through respect and trust of your teammates.
MATTHEW BENNETT
Westshore RFC
https://westshorerfc.com/
Instagram: @matt_bennett619
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestshoreRFC/
Location: Victoria, British Columbia.
Current Clubs: Westshore RFC (Victoria, British Columbia).
Playing Positions: Flyhalf and Center.
Current programs: Westshore RFC (Victoria, British Columbia).
Matthew Bennett wants the rugby community to know where he wants to go in rugby. Since the age of five, it has been Matthew’s dream to play at the highest level possible. After moving to Canada, he realized how achievable this dream is for him. His coaches throughout his journey have been such a major factor and a massive help in achieving this dream. Watch out for Matthew on his journey to play at the highest level!
JAYNE ISHERWOOD
Leprechaun Tigers, Pandas Rugby in Edmonton, Capilano RFC, Sr. Women’s BC Bears, Sr. Women’s Wolfpack, Gloucester-Hartpury RFC
Instagram: @yein_ish
Facebook: N/A
Location: Gloucester, Gloucestershire.
Current Clubs: Gloucester-Hartpury RFC (Gloucester, Gloucestershire).
Playing Positions: Loosehead Prop, Tight head Prop, Second row
Current programs: Gloucester-Hartpury RFC (Gloucester, Gloucestershire).
Jayne Isherwood although located in the UK for her studies now, is a passionate rugby loving Canadian. She is passionate about growing the women’s game. Jayne is currently studying at Hartpurt University to get her MSc in Sports Coaching. In her free time, she coaches the women’s 2nd team at the University. She loves the necessity for teamwork and that anyone can find their place on a rugby team. Jayne embodies what it means to be a Champion and we are excited to have her on the roster to share her experiences so that other Canadians can play overseas.