Hawks women’s rugby team go for third straight OCAA gold

Nov 16, 2012 | Sports

The women’s rugby team has its sights set on OCAA gold Saturday. COURTESY HUMBER ATHLETICS

By Sasha Ramnarine

The undefeated Humber Hawks women’s rugby team will face off against The Algonquin Thunder Saturday in Twin Elm Park in Manotick, Ont. to go for its third straight OCAA title.

The Hawks advanced to the goal medal game with a 50-0 win against the St. Lawrence Vikings Nov. 10.

The team has never lost a game in its three-year existence and boast a perfect 7-0 season record, with only three points scored on the team all year.

LISTEN: Humber’s athletic manager Jim Bialek discusses the Hawks’ perfect record

“The Humber women’s rugby team has been undefeated due to the hard work and drive our players had since day one,” said head coach Brett McCully. “Our girls are out no matter rain or shine running hill and running drills.”

“Being undefeated as a coach with this program means a great deal because it’s great to see all the hard work the girls do pay off,” McCully added,  “and I’m proud of every girl that ever put on a Humber jersey.”

The match-up against the Algonquin Thunder will be intense, as the Thunder dominated its east division, with a 7-0 record.

McCully said this should be “the” game of women’s rugby since its opening year.

“We have worked hard on our defence and our lines of offence,” said McCully. “This weekend will be the toughest game the girls will play since women’s rugby became an OCAA sport. Both teams play well as a team and are really aggressive.”

Humber forward Kadina McKenzie said winning OCAA gold is the goal.

“We are a good offensive team so for the first time we will have to work hard on defense,” said McKenzie, 21, a second-year police foundations student. “To win the title, we need to play hard, play with our hearts and play together as a team.”

LISTEN: Humber’s athletic manager Jim Bialek talks coaching

In addition to the team’s unblemished record, McCully recently won OCAA West division coach of the year.

“I don’t think of this award as just mine, it’s all my coaching staff,” said McCully.

 

“Without my staff, our program would not be what it has become,” said McCully. “We play off each other and mesh so well. This award is great because the long and cold nights out on that field is worth every minute.”

Humber’s athletic manager, Jim Bialek said coaching and experience play in the Hawks’ favour and “coaches never go in a game assuming that there’s victory already in place.”

The women’s team is solidifying its presence in Humber as a dynasty and a win Saturday means the team will have three consecutive OCAA titles.

LISTEN: Jim Bialek shares his prediction for the OCAA gold game Saturday

“For us to be talked about in the same thought of past great teams at Humber, our program will have to continue to make strides every year and have the great work ethic all Humber teams have,” said McCully.