Rugby is back in full swing with the Mt. A women’s rugby team! Entering the 2024 season with a silver medal under their belt, the team is moving forward with their skill and sense of community in hopes of starting the new season strong.
Returning to coach, Whitney Callaghan acknowledged the group’s camaraderie early in the season. “[The team is] a very positive group, so it’s just nice to have all that positivity around,” said Callaghan. Despite a 19-15 opening-season loss against the reigning champions, Holland College, Callaghan looks to make use of this strong bond. “Already we’ve improved so much,” she explained, “we have the depth on our bench […] we [can] put players in who are just as good as the players who started the game.”
Callaghan said that the team feels “prepared” and “ready” for the homecoming match against UNB. Looking to use the team’s “growth mindset” to its advantage, Callaghan says that her main message is to “[focus on] all of the basic skills and make sure that we build on those.”
Now that the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) conference lost two teams, only four remain, meaning rivalries will get stronger and the stakes will be raised. Callaghan, however, is most interested to see the “turnover from one year to another.” “I think [the games are] all going to be really interesting and it is going to be fun to see who’s left standing on November 3,” says Callaghan.
The team’s President is Margie Faulkner, a fourth-year psychology student. Faulkner emphasized her role of making everyone feel safe and comfortable. One of these ways is through a veteran and rookie system where each new athlete is partnered with an upper-year athlete to help their transition into a new school. “We like to foster a fun environment, so, we always make sure our first-years [always have someone to turn to] that’s an upper-year on the team that they can go for academic [and social] support.”
Entering her fourth year on the team, Faulkner spoke on some of her best memories from her Mt. A career: “One of my favourite parts about this team is how much it has grown since I joined.” Her rookie season memories of running and sprinting at the field at 6 a.m. are unlike the resources today. “Now we are in the athletics centre [with] a weight room time and a trainer” said Faulkner, “I think we are slowly starting to be taken more seriously which I think is well deserved for our team, and I’m excited to see what other things we have that are in store for us as the years go on.”
The start of a new rugby season also brings the arrival of new players. Meagan Dean, a first-year science student is one of them. Although she is one of the youngest on the team, Dean is no stranger to the game as she played throughout high school and served as co-captain. Bringing over leadership experience, Dean said her strengths include helping with “teamwork, problem-solving, […] and figuring out when we need support on and off the field.”
Dean touched on some of her highlights with the team so far saying, “I was definitely nervous first coming here, especially with the new school […], but the coaches, and everybody on the team is so supportive and welcoming.” Although nerves were high for her first game, Dean mentioned that it served an important personal purpose. “The first game I was nervous for because it [was] definitely next-level rugby, but it went really well even though we lost. It had such a good outcome for me personally. I think the first couple of minutes I got on the field was some of the best rugby I’ve played,” she said. Since joining rugby in high school, she found encouragement from her friends on the field. “I think [rugby] can have a really big impact on your life,” said Dean, “when times are hard, the people you meet through it can really support you.”
The team fell short of a homecoming win after a 33-0 loss to UNB on Sunday. The defence was tested throughout the match by the Varisty Red’s seemingly never-ending vigour. With the loss, Mt. A goes to a 0-2 record to start the season, however, many opportunities are left to capitalize on the four remaining games this season.
To support the team, be sure to attend their events throughout the year (like sex toy bingo on September 27 at 8 p.m.), look out for exciting partnerships with Sackville businesses, and of course watching their games! The team’s next home game is against St. Thomas on October 6. Keep most up-to-date by following their Instagram, @mtawrfc.
