Hawks rugby shining

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The Holy Cross Collegiate Hawks girls rugby team have surprised many this season, considering how young their roster is compared to many other teams in the league.
The Hawks have also included players from Drumheller, who could not field a team this season, which has not only made the team stronger but gives the opposition a unique look.
“It gives us more numbers, more spares … not as tired out by the end of the game. Our first game was against Chestermere and we ended up winning that one – it was a good start to the year, they’re all committed and it’s easy to coach for me,” said head coach Brennan Grasdahl. “I didn’t know how it was going to go – you put a bunch of girls together, it’s hit or miss but we made the decision that it was in our best interest to combine the teams and give them good experience for this year and we’re going to go into zones as a combined squad.”
As with any sport there are adjustments, and Grasdahl admits that there have been some made going into a league where there are almost double the players on the field.
“We’re adjusting from 7’s to 15’s and it’s a big adjustment. They’re coming along well, they’re really wanting to learn and after our first game,” said Grasdahl. “I asked them what they liked better and they said ’15’s’ and that might be because they don’t have to run as much.”
Grasdahl admits that the key to success has been the girls’ speed and how they are using it effectively.
“Darcy Weir has been leading that pack, she’s got a lot of heart and we made her captain this year because of that,” said Grasdahl.
It was one team in a tournament earlier this season that showed the girls have confidence to compete with the very best.
“When we went to Jasper, we ran into Drayton Valley that has a really good rugby program. They ended up putting three senior teams into that tournament and we stayed within two tries of them,” said Grasdahl. “We came out flat in the first half against them and in the second we came within two tries. I was pretty disappointed with the first half, but second half was really good to see, they recovered really well.”
What may best describe this team is the balance from the Grade 7’s on the team all the way up to the experienced Grade 12’s.
“Our Grade 12’s, that are seniors, have been so good to the Grade 7’s and 8’s in teaching them pointers,” said Grasdahl.