Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Napanee’s Isabelle McGinnis and Neeleigh-Raye Ford were among the 26 athletes who helped the Ontario Jr. Blues rugby team bring home the gold at the U16 Western Canadian Championships, Aug. 4-6 in Calgary.
Ontario went 5-0 at the tournament, defeating the BC Bears 14-2 in the gold medal game.
Playing on the same team was nothing new for the Napanee ladies, as both were introduced to rugby when they joined the Napanee District Secondary School Golden Hawks rugby program. They’ve continued to play throughout the summer as members of the Kingston Panthers.
Earning a selection to Team Ontario was no easy task as they made it through multiple training camp cuts before impressing scouts in a final tournament against the best U16 girls from different regions of the province.
“The experience was really great, it was an amazing team and we bonded and it was a great experience,” said McGinnis of playing for Ontario. “(Ontario’s program has) a different way of coaching (as opposed to the Hawks and Panthers) and it lets you experience different skills and it broadens your horizon and gives you a good learning experience.”
McGinnis lined up a lock for the Blues on defense.
“In a scrum basically I hold up the front row and I get to go smash people,” she says as her role as lock.
Ford meanwhile was a prop, scoring one try for Ontario while also focusing on defense.
Try prevention was a strength for Ontario as they allowed just 17 points in the three round robin games, while posting 113 points of their own. That was 34 more points than second place BC.
“My biggest take away from the tournament is you always have to show up to every game, no matter who you are playing,” said Ford. “I learned that at that level of play everyone is highly talented and skilled so when you step on that field you have to give 100 per cent for you and your team.”
That experience will serve them well as they wrap up their summer club season and turn their attention to playing sevens in the fall. Next spring both players are eligible to return for another season with the Hawks, coming off the most successful season in the history of the program where they placed fourth in the province.