Programs hope to tackle exhibition matches later this fall

by Corey LeBlanc

Although they will not be tackling an Atlantic University Sport (AUS) regular season, Brinten Comeau and her UPEI Panther women's rugby teammates are glad to be back on the pitch.

"It has been a while since I put my shoulder into someone," the third-year flanker says.

Despite the cancellation of fall sports in the conference—a precautionary measure taken in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic—teams in the four-member loop remain focused on improving.

Even though they are at the start of what she describes as a "21-month off-season," the Halifax native adds her team is "definitely working hard."

Usually, by this time of year, the AUS women's rugby league is nearing the midway mark of its regular season. But, instead, the programs are finding ways in which to salvage something from a 'lost' season, one without the crowning of a conference champion.

Each varsity team has started—or is on the verge of starting—to train together, while adhering to provincial health restrictions aimed at preventing any spread of coronavirus, including limiting the number of players who can practice together without social distancing.

Although they have had to modify their normal approach, StFX X-Women fly half Hannah Ellis says they are "making the best of it," noting they "understand the situation."

"The energy has been fantastic. Everyone is so excited to be back," the Halifax native says.

Elish Redshaw, a fullback with the Saint Mary's Huskies, says her team is ready to go, predicting they will be able to "feed off each other's energy," when they take the field for practice.

"We feel really good about what we are going to be able to do," the Point Edward, Cape Breton native adds.

Noting he only expects one-third of his student-athletes to return to the Wolfville campus (because many have opted for online studies this semester), Acadia Axewomen head coach Matt Durant says his coaches and players will focus on getting better.

Even though there are no plans to play any matches, he adds they will continue to prepare "as if we are playing a season and taking the field against opposition."

Durant explains the Axewomen are going to concentrate on "improving our tactical skills," noting there will be plenty of time to do that because they will not be game-planning for opponents.

Panthers assistant coach James Voye says they also have been spotlighting the tactical side.

He notes 34 out of 40 players who turned out for UPEI's tryouts decided "to push forward" and stay the program.

A couple days before their first team practice of the fall, new Huskies head coach Emma Delory says she expects to divide her 21-player roster (made up of student-athletes who have returned to the Halifax campus) into three seven-person cohorts.

"They are really excited to be able to get back together," she says.

Delory notes the "big outcome" they are targeting for this year, and beyond, is the development of a program "that [players] are proud to be part of."

Veteran X-Women head coach Mike Cavanagh says his players are "very happy to be back."

In keeping with the aforementioned public health guidelines, they have broken up their 50-player roster into groups of 10 for practices.

Not surprisingly, considering his players "hadn't touched a rugby ball in a while," Cavanagh notes they have been "a little bit rusty."

"But, we are moving in the right direction," he says.

White and Blue practices, so far, have centered on ball handling, while progressing into areas such as tackling.

Describing it as a "bright spot," when it comes to the required adjustments, Ellis says the X-Women's "fairly young" roster (one that includes 20 or so freshman) will have more time to work on skill development, while also getting used to "our culture."

"We can really focus on team building," she adds.

Even though teams are concentrating on making the best of the ongoing situation, the women's rugby programs are also keeping an eye on the calendar. At this point, as of Oct. 1, provincial health officials are planning to increase the limit on gatherings for organized sports (without social distancing) from 10 to 50 participants.

That anticipated move would serve as a game-changer of sorts, allowing teams to conduct full practices and opening the possibility of playing matches.

"We want to get out there," Redshaw says of having the change to play against club teams.

She notes her body has been "rested for a little too long."

If they "get the greenlight," Voye says the Panthers hope to play a three-match exhibition series (15 players aside) with the Charlottetown Rugby Club.

If the restrictions are widened, Cavanagh says it will be great to have their practices and preparation "go back to normal."

Ultimately, he explains, the hope is to stage a four-team intra-program league, with the rosters comprised of X-Women players.

"We hope to play games under the lights," Cavanagh adds of the possible Friday night matches on home turf at StFX Stadium.

"We are ready to play some games," says Ellis.

Although having that opportunity will help ease the pain, that doesn't mean the sting of not playing their conference season has gone away.

"We are certainly still dealing with losing our [AUS] season," Voye says.

Durant suggests "it is the nature of the time that we are living in."

Nevertheless, he notes the Axewomen are focused on "preparing to take a run at a championship in 2021."

Noting it is "pretty universal," Delory describes the disappointment of her student-athletes with losing their season.

"They train year-round for this two-month season," she says. But, Delory notes, "it is about the long-term, and the safety of people."

Ellis describes the 'lost' season as "definitely disappointing," noting it is not how she envisioned her final campaign in white and blue.

Like many other varsity athletes, she will have a difficult decision to make—whether or not to return for another season.

"I am really thinking about coming back," Ellis says.