Lady Spartans defend provincial title

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Strathmore Spartans 3A girls rugby team successfully defended their high school Tier 2 provincial championship, May 31 and June 1, at the Calgary Rugby Park. 

Head Coach Jerry Flaws explained provincials took on a new format this year, with teams playing three round robin games, which lead to a winner’s bracket and a loser’s bracket. 

“Our goal on Friday was to make sure we qualified for the championship side … we won our first two games and then in the third one, we played the team we struggled against last year, and we actually had a draw,” said Flaws. “We lost in the tie breaking criteria, so we finished second and they finished first, so that set us up for a tougher crossover game on the Saturday.”

He explained SHS went up against Drayton Valley, outclassing them with speed in order to take the win and set up for a rematch against Peace River. 

“The girls came out super fast, super aggressive and it was actually quite an impressive feat because the other team was bigger and stronger than us,” he said. “They really had to use their speed and technique, and the crazy part was even though we were smaller, we were the more aggressive and the more physical team even though we were undersized.”

Flaws added his team maintained a goal since the start of the rugby season to get back to the championship game and win it to defend their title as provincial champions.

Similar to last year, Peace River established themselves as the rival to beat for SHS when it came down to the finals. 

Through the regular season, SHS established themselves as able to keep up and play with schools in Alberta’s Tier 1 division, playing up from their current Tier 2 seat. 

“The biggest tournament in the province … we finished fourth in the Tier 1 division in that tournament … the second weekend of May,” said Flaws. “We lost to a couple of teams … they were bigger and stronger and faster and could handle our speed.”

SHS will remain in the Tier 2 division next season, as roughly half of their current lineup is graduating. The goal is to further grow the skill of the younger players before attempting to compete at the higher tier. 

Flaws said throughout the next season, he will be working with the girls to better their teamwork. Many of them, he explained, are excellent as individual athletes, and he wants to see them continue to improve their teamwork.