After a big win to capture the A/AA high school girl’s rugby championship, Immaculata’s senior team has been hard at work once again to prepare for an even bigger challenge: OFSAA.
In a tight win over St. Paul High School, Immaculata solidified its second consecutive A/AA title by a score of 15-10. But there was little time to celebrate as the girls were back to early morning practices almost immediately to prepare for their first game of the provincial championships — organized by the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations — which began Wednesday.
Things weren’t necessarily looking good for Immaculata after losing 13 players from last year’s winning team, but mother-daughter coaching duo Shannon Renaud and Danika McDermott were able to create another rugby powerhouse from the ground up.
“"Our biggest challenge is that we have a fairly young and inexperienced team",” said Renaud. "Fitness won’t be a problem, our girls are really fit.”"
Renaud and McDermott have been coaching rugby at Immaculata for four years and have really experienced team growth in terms of quality and quantity during that time.
“"We started with barely 22 players,"” said Renaud. “"Now at tryouts you get 50 girls coming out.”"
“"It’'s especially becoming more popular with women,"” adds McDermott.
She also says when she first started coaching, Immaculata was at the bottom of tier two for high school girls A/AA rugby. Now it’'s at the top.
But the girls will have their work cut out for them when they meet the best rugby teams in the province at OFSAA, to be hosted by Nepean High School. Renaud anticipates that Bayside Secondary School from Belleville will be her team’s biggest competition.
During early morning practice, Renaud and McDermott don’'t go easy on the girls who need to be prepared for their full-contact matches.
“"Don'’t be afraid to take the tackle,"” McDermott yells at the girls while running drills.
“"You get to OFSAA, you’ve got to think OFSAA,"” adds Renaud. "“Don’t risk injury by doing a half-hearted tackle!”"
The coaches credit rugby’'s strong sense of teamwork and close-knit community with helping the girls on the team succeed both on and off the field.
“"The relationships and camaraderie are great,”" said Renaud. “"The rugby community is small both internationally and locally, but when someone finds out you’re a rugger you’re just part of the family.”"
McDermott says the sport is a great way for young girls to feel confident and strong.
“"It’'s a really great team sport,”" she said. “"You have 15 girls on the field and the bonding you experience really helps a lot of girls break out of their shell.”"
Immaculata isn’'t the only Ottawa high school competing at OFSAA. Ashbury College will also represent the city with the school’'s AAA/AAAA varsity girls’ team.