Girls Rugby: A Season of Growth

8 June 2026Tema BC, Hope ‘26

Dedication, teamwork, and joy are words that capture everything the girls’ rugby team has brought to the field this year – that the team culture we have cultivated.

Last spring, the team – with broken hearts – said goodbye to a few key players, who moved on to pursue rugby at university. As a result, development and learning have been the focus this year, as we rebuilt and welcomed many new players to the team. The third-term competitive season kicked off in March with lots of excitement, new faces, and anticipation of getting running and rolling on the field. There was a diverse range of rugby experience in the group, and beginner players impressed everyone with their eagerness to learn, showing lots of courage in trying out a contact sport. The returning players have been excellent role models for the less experienced players and have consistently worked hard in practice to continue developing their skills. This group of rugby players quickly melded into a team which fostered a culture of dedication and support for one another.

Mr. Steve Cowie, Coach Dave Cowie, and Coach Mandy Marchak have bestowed their rugby wisdom on the team, giving us the confidence to compete in challenging matches and teaching important lessons about physical skills, game knowledge, and teamwork. Their dedication and love for the girls’ rugby program are really appreciated. Coach Mandy shares, “We started out at a slower pace with the number of new athletes who joined the program, but with the persistence and courage of the team, we finished off really strong and confident. Overall, the team had a really great time and developed strong bonds and relationships.”

A shoutout to team Captain Ashley M, Alex ‘26, who has been a passionate leader, using her energy and love of the game to rally the team. Whether we needed a pep talk to get pumped up, or a level head to keep us calm, Ashley always provided the team with the right words to keep us focused and centred during games. Ashley shared, “It has definitely been a tough season: I’m so happy to have seen each of these girls grow. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this team”.

After a few key training sessions to lay the foundational skills and get to know each other as a team, it was straight into the full swing of the competitive season. The team travelled up and down the Island to compete in one or two games a week. Despite the bruises, scrapes, and “minor” knocks to the head, the team learned a lot, improved a lot, and had lots of fun. The long bus rides were certainly a highlight, and a time to bond over studying, singing, hair braiding, and Dairy Queen stops.

Last Thursday, Brentwood hosted an end-of-season tournament, facing off against Windsor, Ladysmith, and Mark Isfeld, in three short but intense matches – many girls got their first taste – and a fair share of cardio – playing 7s! The team played fiercely, making big hits and speedy runs, while having so much fun on the field, and took home three wins.

Starting out as a sparse group, braving the mud and downpours of first-term training sessions, we have progressed into a fully fledged, competitive, and tight-knit team. What better way to finish off the term than with last Thursday’s jamboree in the sunshine, on the home fields of Brentwood, where the team showcased outstanding rugby and enjoyed playing together one last time!

Team BC, Hope ‘26

Where Students Choose To Be