An annual interview with Mt.A’s women’s rugby team
Mt.A’s women’s rugby season ended with the team’s final match against the University of New Brunswick (UNB) on Sunday, Nov. 2, with a 44-12 loss. The rugby team had a vigorous season, winning semi-finals against Holland College, scoring 12-7. Speaking to The Argosy on Friday, Oct.31, coach Whitney Burke-Callaghan says it has been a “really great season so far [that has] been building for [them] over the last two months.” The women’s team has 47 players, 30 of them being in their first or second year, so Burke-Callaghan believes they “have so much potential in the coming years.”
A key characteristic of this hardworking team is their commitment to learning. Burke-Callaghan explained the players “had to differentiate between a group who had had rugby knowledge and did not…but have really been able to integrate in the last four weeks.” This system got great feedback from players, Vera Baranova and Gracie Gilbert.
The rugby team was a big factor in Baranova’s choice of university. “The team was very inviting and welcoming,” said Baranova. Gilbert, on the other hand, became interested recently and fell in love with the sport during training camp, highlighting the friendships created in a short week.
Gilbert also credits the team’s Co-Presidents, Marguerite Faulkner and Macrina Asoyuf, saying they “have really done well getting us connected with other players.” The team’s structure changed this year, with the presidents not serving as captains or playing in the games. Faulkner said, “It was potentially unexpected for the team, but I think they’ve grown from that. A lot of leaders have stepped up to the team.” Faulkner emphasized the unique structure of this season “made everyone a lot stronger because everyone took on a role.”
Both co-presidents noted the differences of being on the sidelines rather than in the game. “It’s fun to be able to cheer everyone on, and you can see how much the energy from the sidelines dictates the energy of the game,” said Faulkner, referencing their semifinals win. Asoyuf focused on the emotions of the game, saying, “We wanted that win and we got it,” talking about how morale boosted the chance of winning.
“We’re a team that is consistently positive and cheering on our own teammates. I think that is what will make the difference in the game against UNB, whatever the outcome is,” said Faulkner, referring to their final game Sunday, Nov. 2.
Faulkner and Burke-Callaghan all emphasized their appreciation of the growth of rugby at Mt.A, but voiced their stance on the need for more resources.
Faulkner references her first-year at Mt.A, in 2021, when the rugby team only had outdoor practices, and did not feel as organized as it does now. Today, the team has athletic trainers, indoor weight sessions, an organized executive team, and many more opportunities within the athletics department. She highlights that “women’s sports may be looked down upon…this makes people want to fight even harder to have that recognition.”
Burke-Callaghan, who played rugby at Mt.A while she was a student, says the changes seen in the last 10 to 15 years have also been drastic. Burke-Callaghan feels like “the University listens more and cares more about our team and the success of our team,” adding, “it feels nice to feel a little bit more supported.”
When Faulkner brought up the chance of a setback to this progress, Burke-Callaghan said, “It’s not going back. It is okay to be thankful for what we have and still want more.”
One aspect Faulkner hopes to see improved is compensation for their coaches. While women’s rugby is a club sport at Mt.A, coaches are not paid for their time. Their work, which has led to so many important changes within the team and sport is voluntary. Faulkner hopes to “see rugby grow enough at Mt.A so that [their] coaches can be better compensated in some way.”