CDS rugby girls in the thick of competition

May 6, 2014 · 0 Comments

By Jeff Doner
The senior girls rugby team at Country Day School has a carved themselves out a solid reputation over the years and the 2014 squad is no different.
The team started their season off on a positive note last week by placing third overall at the Canadian Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) senior girls rugby tournament at Bishop’s School in Lennoxville, Quebec.
“It was phenomenal,” said head coach Dave Downer about the CAIS tournament. “We took a very strong game against Ashbury, which was the second place team, and we lost just by two tries, but the Bishop’s was certainly the quality team this year. They were quite good.”
The team hasn’t won the CAIS tournament for the past two years, but is going towards a 10th consecutive CISAA championship title in their local division this spring.
Their strong play in the Quebec tournament and a good start to the regular season schedule back here at home has set them on a good path thus far.
In regular season play last week they also defeated their local rivals from Holy Trinity School in Richmond Hill by a score of 39-5.
Ashleigh Calvert scored two tries in the win, while McKinley Hunt, Emma Soave, Maddy Staples, Sjorland Gibson and Hayden Brown each added a try of their own. Olivia Hallis and Rachel Wong each converted a kick.
Downer, who is in his first year of coaching the girls team at CDS, said the school’s rugby program is thriving after years of success.
“Dean (Sherman) has built an effective program here at CDS and has sort of built it in over the past 15 years,” he explained. “I think what happens is that at every school there are certain sports that people are drawn to and in the spring here at our school, a lot of the girls target rugby. If they don’t mind taking contact, that’s the sport they go to and they love it.”
With their nine consecutive CISAA titles, the team has been able to build up a solid foundation of veterans and fresh talent each year.
For example, ex-CDS rugby player Jordyn Rowntree, who now plays for Queens University, has played provincially and has a chance at playing federally, has been helping the team out recently.
But Downer said that’s also a product of the interest in the sport and how much it has grown in recent years.
“I think because there are so few outlets for girls to play contact sports,” he said. “I think this and wrestling are just about it, in terms of being able to make physical contact on purpose and then girls love that opportunity to go out there and play rough and tough. That seems to be a big draw for a lot of the girls.”
Downer also pointed out that young athletes are starting to realize the opportunities rugby can offer. Programs in schools aren’t as crowded, giving opportunities to get into universities and even some scholarships. Another draw is the numerous tournaments nationally and internationally.
The senior girls are off to a good start.
“The girls at this school almost approach this like at the club level,” Downer said. “They buy into the philosophy. We talk a lot about the style of play, the approach to sport in general as opposed to just going out and making a pass.”
The team will play three more regular season games and then will move on to the CISAA championship rounds later this spring.