Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Two-time Olympian Britt Benn will be joining the Queen’s Golden Gaels women’s rugby program this coming season, accepting a role as assistant coach.
The Napanee native wrapped up her illustrious career following the 2020 Tokyo games, which saw Canada finish ninth. In 2016 she helped Team Canada to a bronze finish in Rio, marking the debut of rugby sevens at the Olympics.
“I was incredibly excited when I saw the assistant coach position with Queens University women’s Rugby Program,” Benn told the Beaver. “Currently, I aspire to contribute to the growth of women’s rugby as a positive female role model to the next generation of athletes. After meeting with (Queen’s women’s rugby) head coach Dan Valley, I instantly knew our coaching styles would align perfectly. It was one of those moments you wish to relive over and over again. We will move mountains together and I couldn’t be more excited for those milestones.”
Benn explained what role she envisions taking on with the Gaels.
“As a two-time Olympian, I’m very familiar with the challenges high performance sport creates,” said Benn. “I also know what it takes to reach the top, to chase the dream, to succeed. My intentions are to provide the skillset and knowledge I’ve obtained over my rugby career and create as much opportunity as possible for these athletes to achieve their dreams. For the past 15 years I have proudly represented the Canadian Women’s National 15’s and 7’s program. I believe my experiences and expertise of the game will positively contribute to the Gaels women’s rugby team, their goals and aspirations.”
Along with her Olympic and international experience, Benn also played Ontario University Athletics (OUA) rugby as a member of the Guelph Gryphons. During her tenure there she was a four-time All-Canadian and was the OUA and CIS Player of the Year in 2012.
With the Gryphons, Benn won five OUA gold medals, three CIS bronze medals, one CIS silver medal, and one CIS National Championship.
“I couldn’t be more excited for Britt to join our program,” said Valley, in a release from the Gaels. “She’ll be able to help our players reach another level of detail and she’ll have an immediate positive impact on our squad from the moment she starts. She’s excelled at the highest levels of competition in the world for the past 15 years – Olympics, World Cup, HSBC 7s Series, Pan-American Games. It’s really cool to think that our players – many of whom have grown up watching and admiring Britt Benn as she competed on the world stage – will now have the chance to work with her and learn from her every single day. It’s just awesome.”
Even during her playing days, Benn says she always had an eye towards one day giving back to the next generation of players.
“Coaching is something I’ve always envisioned myself doing at some point in my lifetime, and it just so happens this career opportunity was the perfect match,” said Benn. “I have so much passion, knowledge and skillset for this game, it would be a shame to never share it.”
As an added bonus, Benn gets to make her coaching debut just a few minutes outside her hometown.
“My heart has always belonged here at home, so to me this is meant to be,” said Benn. “I’m very grateful to have this coaching opportunity in such close proximity to my hometown.”
Benn joins an already strong program as Queen’s women’s rugby team captured the U SPORTS silver medal last year after winning the OUA championship.
The Gaels schedule is yet to be released but regular season games typically get underway in early September.