The women's rugby team at St. Thomas University has added three experienced recruits from New Brunswick.

Becca Baker, of Fredericton, NB, Emily Donelle, of Moncton, NB, and Olivia Ricketts, of Saint John, NB, will join the Tommies this season as they work toward another appearance in the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association women's rugby final.

Playing together won't be an issue for the newcomers—all three have been selected to represent the province as members of the U-18 team that will compete at the Eastern Canadian Championships in July.

Tommies head coach Meghan Morrison said she's always eager to add young, experienced players to the team's lineup.

"I'm always keen to see players gain a range of playing experience through high school, senior women's, and provincial rugby," she said. "All three of these athletes have a strong physical presence on the field and come to us with great experience considering their ages."

Baker, who immigrated to Canada from England in 2008, has played four seasons with the Fredericton High School rugby team. She's a versatile athlete and is able to fill multiple positions, including 8-man, stand-off, and centre.

"I enjoy the competitive nature in the forwards, but I'm equally comfortable running with the backs," she said.

Baker has played for the Fredericton Loyalist senior women's team since last year and was recognized as the most improved back at the end of last season.

Donelle, a graduate of L'Odyssée, has been playing at the high school level for three years. She's a member of the Moncton senior women's team and is competing with the provincial team for the second consecutive year.

She was given the Rookie of the Year award in her first year of high school rugby and was recognized as the most valuable back in just her second season.

For Donelle, St. Thomas was the right mix of athletics and academics.

"I've chosen STU because it's the perfect fit for what I would like to study and it has a great rugby program," she said.

Ricketts, who comes to STU from Saint John High School, agrees.

"I'm really excited to continue rugby in my university years with the STU team," she said.

Ricketts brings four years of high school rugby experience and two years of provincial-level competition to the Tommies. She's able to play 8-man, second row, or prop and was recently named Most Valuable Player for her high school team. She was also the recipient of Saint John High School's John Rooney Memorial Trophy for school spirit and the Fran Hughes Dedication to Sport trophy.

Baker, Donelle, and Ricketts join Ontario's Kianna Laurin in the Tommies' 2016-17 recruiting class.