It’s been a tough four year stretch for the women’s rugby team. While the team has enjoyed tremendous regular season and individual successes, they have reached the ACAA finals four straight years, coming home empty handed each year.
Three straight losses to the University of New Brunswick, add in another to the Mount Allison University Mounties, and you have yourself a team that enters the 2018-19 season hungry for that ACAA banner.
“Our goal every year is to bring home the ACAA title and we will continue to work toward that,” said assistant coach Stephanie Carey. “This team has a lot of potential and is already showing us their ability to work hard and learn from each other.”
Key returnees for the Tommies will be four All-Conference players, Meghan Pollard, Shannon Morris, Olivia Ricketts, Abbie LeBlanc and then there is former All-Conference player and Rookie of the Year, Bailey Andrews.
“Finishing second in the last four seasons is definitely something everyone is aware of,” said the veteran Andrews. “However, I think the best way to go into this season is with the mentality that this is a new year, with new players, it’s a new team. Anything that has happened in the past is in the past so there is no reason to dwell on it.”
With 11 new players added to this year’s team, there aren’t lingering memories of championships that could have been. Only fresh starts and eyes on that elusive ACAA banner.
“With 11 new players joining us, we are excited to see them grow and develop their identity as a Tommie,” said Carey. “A young team means we can reimagine some of our playing style and continue to build on the culture we have developed as a team.”
“We have a lot of new players added to the roster this year,” added Andrews, “but I am confident that with all the hard work and effort being put in by both coaches and players we will be able to put together a competitive team.”
The women will hit the field Sunday, September 9th in Halifax against the University of King’s College Blue Devils with a start time of 2:00 pm. They open their home schedule against the defending champions, University of New Brunswick, Sunday September 16th at 4:30. Rugby and All-season passes are available at the J.B. O'Keefe Fitness Centre. For more information visit https://www.gotommies.ca/fan-zone/tickets.